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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Streaking TNT tangles with 'upgraded' Ginebra in Govs' Cup Finals rematch

Streaking TNT tangles with 'upgraded' Ginebra in Govs' Cup Finals rematch

Published Jan 16, 2025 07:05 am

At A Glance

  • TNT head coach Chot Reyes is expecting a tough and different battle when the Tropang Giga take on what he deemed as a 'highly upgraded' Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, Jan. 17.

TNT head coach Chot Reyes is expecting a tough and different battle when the Tropang Giga take on what he deemed as a "highly upgraded" Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, Jan. 17.

PBA Images7 (86).jpg
 

While they are the hottest team in the league right now with a five-game winning run, the Tropang Giga are under no illusion that they can easily repeat against Kings, who they defeated in six games last conference to cop the Governors’ Cup crown.

Not with Ginebra with Troy Rosario coming in and Jamie Malonzo back in the fold, according to Reyes.

“Not only Troy but also Jamie Malonzo is ready as well. They are going to be different, that's a much better and highly upgraded Ginebra team,” Reyes said of their titanic duel that tips off at 7:30 p.m. and after the clash between Eastern and Terrafirma at 5 p.m.

While Ginebra’s firepower and depth may become an issue for TNT, Reyes is preaching for his players to be tough defensively which could be the only weapon they have if their shots are not falling.

And that was exactly the case in the Tropang Giga’s 94-87 win over the NLEX Road Warriors.

“This team, we know how to put our heads down and grind in the work. Tonight was a good example. Our game wasn't pretty at all. Shots were not falling but we found our way to win,” stressed Reyes

“The most important thing is to find a way to compete and then you have to find a way to win, hopefully we can do that again on Friday,” he added.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who had a well-rounded game the last time out with 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists but struggled shooting the ball with a 7-of-25 clip, is meeting his archrival in Justin Brownlee.

The Ginebra import, one of the greatest reinforcements to ever set foot in the PBA, has not won a title against the TNT forward through their last two Finals matchup.

So Brownlee is surely looking at getting some measure of revenge in the contest especially that the two teams are currently jockeying for positions for the Top 2 spots which merit a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

TNT is at the second spot with a 5-2 record and a win would solidify its place behind the league-pacing NorthPort while Ginebra is looking to make a run for it by further improving its 6-3 slate.

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