TNT and Barangay Ginebra finally begin their PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup Finals series on Sunday, which will be held under a different environment at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Here’s what you need to know about Game One. And in case you missed our PBA Finals preview, check on this link.
READ: TNT vs. Ginebra: 8 questions ahead of their titanic finals clash
TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: Sunday, October 27. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center, Antipolo City
How they got here
TNT kept its title-retention bid going after defeating Rain or Shine, 113-95, in Game Five last October 18. Barangay Ginebra arranged a finals rematch by overcoming San Miguel, 102-99, in Game Six last October 20. Both teams got a one-week rest before they resume their quest for a championship.
Gate receipts of Game One goes to typhoon victims
The PBA announced that proceeds of Game One of the Governors’ Cup finals will go the victims of typhoon Kristine, which battered the country during the exact time that both TNT and Barangay Ginebra where preparing for the championship series.
Finals history
It will be the fifth time that TNT and Barangay Ginebra will square off in the finals, with the head-to-head even. The Tropang Giga ruled the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup and the 2023 Governors’ Cup, their latest duel for the crown, while the Gin Kings captured the 2004-05 Philippine Cup and the 2020 Philippine Cup at the Clark bubble, both at the expense of TNT. Can Ginebra break the trend of winning over TNT in an import-laced conference final?
Tim vs. Chot starts
The coaching match-up will see Tim Cone, the current Gilas Pilipinas head coach, facing Chot Reyes, the former mentor of the national team. Both coaches, who have a 3-3 record in their finals shodown, have deflected the attention to the players, saying that they will decide the series. Regardless of what they say, Cone and Reyes will still play a big part in how the series will go.
Importance of Game One
While the winner of Game One have, percentage-wise, the better chance of capturing the title in PBA history, the last two Governors’ Cup finals were taken by the team that lost the series opener. In 2021, Barangay Ginebra captured the title over Meralco even after losing Game One by winning the final three matches of the series. In 2023, TNT claimed the crown even after Barangay Ginebra took the series opener by also winning the last three games of their salvo. Will that trend continue this season?
Rest or rust
One question before Game One of each series have always been the effect of a lengthy break for the two protagonists. So far, a lengthy break had little effect on both squads with TNT experiencing an eight-day break in between the NLEX and Rain or Shine series, and Barangay Ginebra getting a 10-day break in between its Meralco and San Miguel series. On both occasions, TNT and Barangay Ginebra captured Game One in their respective semifinal series.
RHJ vs. JB begins
The main player match-up that is being anticipated is the showdown between Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee, both being strong contenders for the Best Import award of the conference. Fans will surely be entertained by the match-up after their performance in the eliminations and playoffs where Hollis-Jefferson averaged 28.0 points, 12.89 rebounds, 6.39 assists, 2.89 steals, and 1.89 blocks, and Brownlee registering 28.32 points, 9.21 rebounds, 5.79 assists, 1.58 steals, and 1.47 blocks.
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