HISTORY will show that Game Six wasn’t always good for Barangay Ginebra.
While the 2016 Governors’ Cup Finals was highlighted by a walk-off three by Justin Brownlee to close the series at 4-2, Barangay Ginebra also lost in a Game Six the year after to Meralco, 98-91, at the Philippine Arena.
Ginebra eventually won Game Seven of that series, 101-96, in front of 54,086 fans at the Philippine Arena. But being forced to a rubber match for the championship five years ago is enough reason for the Gin Kings not to be complacent.
De’javu?
De’javu could be in the offing as the PBA announced on Thursday that Game Seven will be played at the Philippine Arena on Sunday if the finals series goes the distance.
Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted keeping the team focused, saying a close-out game is always the most difficult to play.
“It’s still very, very far away. It seems like it’s close but it’s still far away,” said Cone. “We were in this situation and they forced us into a Game Seven. We had to play Game Seven with 54,000 fans in the Philippine Arena.”
Ginebra had to wait extra days for Game Six after Wednesday’s clash was postponed due to a fire that broke out at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco may be down at the moment but Cone said the Bolts are capable of extending the series to a decider.
“We know that trying to beat a good team like this three times in a row is nearly impossible," Cone said. "We are going to try our best to get focused and ready."