BARANGAY Ginebra looks to gain a commanding 3-1 lead over TNT in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals on the same night that RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee may be racognized as top individual players on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Here is a preview of Game 4 and the awarding ceremony prior.
TNT VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
Barangay Ginebra leads, 2-1
When: Wednesday, June 10. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Ginebra goes for commanding lead
Ginebra will try to step closer to winning its first championship in three years with a win on Wednesday. The Gin Kings came away with a 116-102 victory over TNT last Sunday to claim a 2-1 lead in the finals.
The Tropang 5G, on the other hand, will look to tie the series, especially since in their last three match-ups in the finals, no team has ever led 3-1.
Holt an added offensive weapon
Stephen Holt finally came alive offensively for Ginebra, notching 23 points including five triples and one four in the Game 3 win.
With the Gin Kings swingman on fire last Sunday, TNT has an added man to think of defensively, and may no longer have the luxury to sag off of Holt.
Oftana must respond
Calvin Oftana had a sorry showing in Game 3 when he only had two points in the loss. Oftana only shot 1-of-8 from the field, as he had to overcome Ginebra’s defense fronted by Holt.
‘Sting Rey’ got stung
Aside from Oftana, Rey Nambatac also had an off-night, as he went scoreless in Game 3 after averaging 14.5 points in the first two games, including 19 in the opener. Nambatac just couldn't get going, taking only four shots after averaging 8.5 attempts in the first two games.
Limit points given up from turnovers
TNT slightly had more turnovers than Ginebra in Game 3, 13-10, but that small margin proved costly, as the Tropang 5G gave up 20 points from those turnovers.
The Tropang 5G then failed to capitalized on the Gin Kings' errors, scoring just nine from them. Chris McCullough had the most turnovers for TNT with seven.
Sweep of BPC, Best Import for Ginebra?
Before Game 4, the winners of the Best Player of the Conference and Best Import will be known, with Abarrientos and Brownlee being very strong favorites to win the individual plums. The two lead in the statistical race among those still playing this conference, making them top candidates for the awards.
If they hoist the trophies, the hope of Ginebra fans is that Abarrientos and Brownlee play well in Game 4, since there had been a couple of times in the past when awardees didn't playing at par right after the ceremony.
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