TNT goes for a 2-0 lead in its PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra as action shifts to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The Tropang Giga are fresh from a 104-88 win over the Gin Kings in Game One at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City after a splendid play on offense and defense, and they want nothing but the same effort in Game Two. The Gin Kings, meanwhile, will look to even the series and get themselves right back in the thick of the fight.
Here’s what to watch out for in Game Two.
Barangay Ginebra vs. TNT
When: Wednesday, October 30. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Out to bounce back from shooting slump
All eyes will be on Ginebra on Wednesday after their terrible shooting display in Game One where the Gin Kings only hit two of their 21 three-point shots, including going 0-of-18 in the first three quarters. Justin Brownlee was not his usual self as he went 0-of-2 from threes, and made just one of his five four-point shots.
TNT coach Chot Reyes is expecting Ginebra’s outside shots to soon fall, and has emphasized that his team must not be complacent on defense in the next games.
Defending Brownlee
Another slump by Justin Brownlee in Game Two may be next to impossible so defending the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player is of utmost importance. In Game One, TNT gave Brownlee different looks, with Roger Pogoy starting things out and actually doing a good job by limiting him to two points and shooting just 1-of-5 from the field in the first quarter. Pogoy must do a similar effort, while staying on the floor longer as he was also saddled with foul troubles in Game One.
Game One defeat in past PBA Governors’ Cup finals
A loss in Game One doesn't exactly mean doom for a team, as seen in the past two Governors’ Cup Finals. In 2021, Ginebra lost the series opener over Meralco but still went on to win the championship after taking the next match. TNT had the same story as it wound up victorious in Game Two after dropping the first match. Game Two could very well be the turning point for the winning team in the series.
Can TNT sustain its shooting?
The Tropang Giga had one of their best shooting outings of the conference after hitting 52.7 percent of their attempts in Game One, including a 12-of-30 clip from threes. It would be difficult to duplicate such percentage especially with Ginebra out to tie the series, but a repeat could lead to another victory for TNT.
RHJ scoring
When it came to effort, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had plenty of it in Game One when he had 10 rebounds, one steal, and three blocks. Offensively, Hollis-Jefferson didn’t have his usual numbers as he got a playoff-low 19 points while shooting 8-of-23 from the field. A huge offensive night for Hollis-Jefferson in Game Two could be key for TNT in its bid to take a 2-0 lead in the series, so Ginebra must double the effort on defense against the Tropang Giga import.
Jayson Castro vs. RJ Abarrientos
One of the keys to TNT’s victory was Jayson Castro being able to show his experience by scoring 12 of his 14 points in the third quarter. Noticeable in the series opener was how the 38-year-old Castro got his offense going by attacking the defense of RJ Abarrientos. The Ginebra rookie later admitted that he was schooled by the eight-time PBA champion and must do a better job in Game Two. Abarrientos also struggled offensively in Game One when he only had five points while shooting just 2-of-7 from the field. How the two guards will respond in Game Two will be a must-watch.
Watch out for Ralph Cu
A silver lining for Barangay Ginebra in Game One was how Ralph Cu provided a boost for his team in his first PBA Finals game, something to look forward to in Wednesday’s match. After the Gin Kings had a slow start, Cu helped his team keep the game close with key plays in the second quarter. After Game One, Cu finished with 13 points and went a perfect 5-of-5 from two-point range. He even added five rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes, while also being committing just one turnover.
READ Cu, Aurin savor journey from 3x3 to On Tour to PBA Finals
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