November 6, Wednesday – Smart Araneta Coliseum
- 7:30pm – TNT Tropang Giga vs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
TNT Tropang Giga forward Calvin Oftana against Barangay Ginebra defenders during the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETIO/INQUIRER.net
Defending champion TNT and Barangay Ginebra go at it again on Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, with the powerhouse clubs looking to bring entirely different versions of themselves from the last time they met.
Coach Tim Cone promptly put the series-leveling 106-92 triumph last Sunday behind as the Gin Kings now navigate a shorter race with their best-of-seven showdown with the Tropang Giga now a battle for two wins.
“All we did was tie the series,” the seasoned coach said. “It’s 0-0 now. We can’t live off the last two games and just feel good about that. We got to keep forward-moving and forward-thinking.”
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson reacts during Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson isn’t the type to toot his own horn after being hailed Best Import of the PBA Governors’ Cup for the second straight season.
The former NBA journeyman owed his success and most recent accolade to his Tropang Giga teammates and coaches.
“It’s a team sport. I wouldn’t have gotten the award without my teammates but I was more so worried about the game and winning it,” said Hollis-Jefferson on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra guard Maverick Ahanmisi during Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra coach Tim Cone has been vocal about his disinterest in the PBA’s four-point line.
But that doesn’t mean the Gin Kings aren’t using it to their advantage.
“It’s not one of the things that we really like to incorporate on our offense,” said Ginebra guard Maverick Ahanmisi after their win over TNT in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals on Sunday.
TNT center Poy Erram during Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT center Poy Erram drew the lion’s share of jeers from a predominantly Ginebra crowd in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
In the middle of another intense clash between rivals, chants of “iyakin” (crybaby) rained down on Erram, whose Tropang Giga suffered a 106-92 beating at the hands of the Gin Kings.
Erram, however, couldn’t care any less. In fact, he even expected to be the brunt of insults.
Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, middle, and Justin Brownlee, left, during Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against TNT.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—With the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals pushed back to square one, Ginebra star guard Scottie Thompson is well aware that it’s a whole different game now.
Thompson and the Gin Kings clobbered the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 4 on Sunday, making the title series a best-of-three.
“For us right now, we’re happy to tie this series but we know TNT’s coaching staff and coach Chot (Reyes) will adjust. This is a battle of adjustments and we know they’ll do that in the next game,” said Thompson after the 106-92 win that tied the series at 2-2.
TNT’s Calvin Oftana during Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT forward Calvin Oftana expressed his frustration after the Tropang Giga’s loss to Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Oftana lamented not getting enough opportunities to make plays for TNT in the second half after a spectacular start that saw him explode for 20 points in the first two quarters.
“I don’t know, I had good production in the first half and I only got a few touches in the second half. I feel frustrated with myself, I questioned the coaches but it is what it is,” said Oftana following the 106-92 loss that tied the series at 2-2.
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