BARANGAY Ginebra shoots to equalize against TNT in their PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup finals on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings go for a 2-2 deadlock after their 85-73 win last Friday, while the Tropang Giga try to bounce back and regain a two-game lead and move a step closer to the championship.
Here’s some of the key points for Game Four.
Barangay Ginebra vs. TNT
When: Sunday, November 3. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Looking to repeat efficient shooting
Ginebra finally had its shots falling in Game Three by going 33-for-66 from the field (50 percent. This, after shooting 37.33 percent for the first two matches of the finals.
It was certainly a good sign as well that Justin Brownlee finally made a three-pointer in the series after he went 0-for-4 in the first two games against TNT.
Ginebra must continue effort on defense
The Gin Kings finally showed their defensive fortitude which they hope to bring over to Game Four. Ginebra collected nine steals and six blocks, both being their best showings in the finals.
To do so, the Gin Kings may start LA Tenorio again after he set the tone on the defensive end by coming up with four steals.
Bench production could prove key anew
By sliding Tenorio in the starting five, Ginebra got a boost from its bench with Maverick Ahanmisi scoring 16 of their reserves' 23 points to finally win that statistical category in the finals.
In contrast, TNT only got a finals-low 16 bench points with the usual suspects such as Glenn Khobuntin not producing his usual numbers on offense.
Limiting turnovers
If there's something that Ginebra must clean up for Game Three, it’s the turnovers after incurring a finals-high 19 in the victory. Japeth Aguilar committed the most with six, though he still had 10 points and seven rebounds.
On the other hand, TNT technically took care of the ball better with just 13 errors, but still lost the game.
Concerns on Justin Brownlee’s physical condition
Brownlee propelled Ginebra to victory in Game Three by contributing 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block, amidst battling cramps in the contest.
READ: Brownlee shines on both ends in Game 3 while battling cramps
However, concerns about Brownlee’s condition is warranted ahead of Game Four. Brownlee has allayed fears of an injury, and what happened in Game Three was solely a case of cramps. The Gin Kings and their fans definitely hope to see a better Brownlee in terms of his fitness for Game Four.
Will fatigue set in for RHJ after second straight 48-minute game?
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson once again played without rest and still put on the numbers, as he had 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one block in Game Three.
While he has stated countless times his desire to go the distance, it's already the finals’ third game in five days, and fatigue may be setting in. Hollis-Jefferson didn’t have the best of shooting in Game Three, only hitting 30.8 percent from the field, and only had two threes, a far cry from his six in Game Two.
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