TNT and Barangay Ginebra resume the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals on Sunday with the Tropang Giga gunning for a commanding lead and the Gin Kings seeking to tie the series still at the Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: PBA draws big crowd in return to MOA Arena
Here is a preview of Game 2, and a few keys to victoy.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. TNT
When: Sunday, March 16. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mall of Asia Arena
TNT guns for 2-0 lead
The Tropang Giga drew first blood after beating the Gin Kings, 95-89. An all-around performance by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the hot shooting of RR Pogoy were the keys to the Game One victory, which TNT will look to replicate in Game 2.
TNT shooting fueled by Ginebra turnovers
The Tropang Giga made 8 of 14 threes in the first quarter, not only because they were efficient from the outside, but were able to get good looks, most coming in transition after the Gin Kings committed turnovers from offensive execution.
Ginebra already had six turnovers at the end of the first quarter, something that it has to limit for the rest of the series.
Has Troy Rosario healed?
Troy Rosario played in Game 1 even though he is still dealing with an ankle sprain he sustained in the fifth and final match of Ginebra's semifinals series against NorthPort. Rosario revealed after the series opener that he hasn’t fully healed from the injury, even attending practice just once because he was focusing on his rehab.
The Gin Kings definitely need the aggressiveness and hustle of Rosario after he only grabbed two rebounds against TNT in Game 1.
TNT must crash the boards
If there is something that TNT must improve on, it’s rebounding after it was outrebounded, 52-42, despite Rosario hurting for the Ginebra side.
There is a bright side, though, as RHJ and Calvin Oftana combined for 22 rebounds. Still, boards by the likes of Poy Erram, who only had two in Game 1, will be welcomed by TNT.
Ginebra must hit its outside shots
Something to watch in Game 2 is the outside shooting of Ginebra, following a 7-of-28 clip from deep, a playoff-low this conference. Justin Brownlee only made 1-of-5, while RJ Abarrientos also struggled with 1-of-6 shooting from downtown. In the end, Scottie Thompson served as the Gin King who hit multiple treys with two. If TNT continues to hit shots against the Ginebra defense, the Gin Kings must hit theirs in Game 2.
Malonzo watch
Jamie Malonzo struggled in his first game back in the finals when he had just two points while shooting 1-of-6 from the field, a total contrast to his performance in the NorthPort semifinal series where he averaged 17.6 points.
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