TNT has not yet understood his opponent in the final of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the time of the press, but coach Chot Reyes did not chop his words with regard to the next step.
“I do not think it is a secret that we are going to play in Ginebra,” said Reyes after Tropang Giga has finished the elastopainstones of the gravelly rain, 97-92, Friday in match 5 of their series of semi-final at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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The favorite gin Kings of the crowd could confirm the revenge match of the strength test of the title of the governors of the opening of the season if they beat the Northport Batang pier in the Nightcap.
And if they do, it will be the first time that two teams will compete for the championship during consecutive conferences since San Miguel Beer won the two meetings against Alaska at the 2015 Governors Cup and the Philippine Cup 2015-16.
This probability is not lost for Reyes, who is preparing for a very difficult battle compared to the triumph of six TNT matches on Ginebra last November.
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The signature by Ginebra de Troy Rosario, the returns of Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray of injuries and the loss of Jayson Castro to a broken knee should change the dynamics of TNT, if the expected couple is defined.
“We all know how strong and deep this team is,” said Reyes. “Ginebra is a different team from that of rain or good weather. We enter this series a man below and they have three new players, essentially, from the last time we played them in the final.
“So, it’s going to be a huge challenge and we’re going to take a look and understand how to best prepare for the finals,” added Reyes.
The finals will not start before March 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena, giving TNT enough time to trace his quest to win a second consecutive title and get into position to opt for the Grand Slam.
Third final
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson obtained his third appearance in the final in four conferences since his arrival in 2023 behind a performance of 42 points above the 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks while TNT overcome a side of the rain or the sun with an average winning margin of 4.8 points.
Rey Nambatac added 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two interceptions and should be in its best shape in order to fill the vacuum left by Castro.
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Rain Shine underwent a third consecutive outing of the Final Four, the last two against TNT, despite the importation of Deon Thompson marking 34 points in another high performance.
But the significant lack of support of the inhabitants, despite the two figures in the second half, finally sealed the fate of e-painters as they now reflect on how to overcome the bump for the Philippine Cup at the end of the season.
