WHO will move a step closer to the finals?
TNT KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra know the importance of having an edge at this critical stage as they resume their best-of-five semifinals series with a lot on the line in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
With the series knotted at 1-1, Game 3 will prove pivotal as the Tropang Texters and the Gin Kings both aim at moving a game away from the finals when they meet again at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
Having a 2-1 advantage in a short five-game series is huge considering that the protagonists are evenly matched.
“Game 3 is very important. It will put the winner halfway to the finals and we hope to continue our improvement and hopefully have another win,” said TNT KaTropa coach Nash Racela.
Racela’s wards, following an abysmal Game 1 showing where they got ran out of the building, bounced back in Game 2 to equalize the series and avoid a 0-2 hole.
Once again, the one-two punch of Jayson Castro and Glen Rice Jr. led the way for TNT in Game 2, taking charge as their squad held off Ginebra, 103-96, last Wednesday night in Batangas City to level the series.
The defense of the Tropang Texters also made life difficult for the potent Ginebra core of Justin Brownlee, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Joe Devance and LA Tenorio as the Gin Kings’ fluidity on offense wasn’t consistent the last time out.
Now, it’s a question of which team will come out and play better to take a giant step towards reaching the big stage.
As of this press time, Meralco is trying to earn the first ticket to the finals as it is currently looking to end its own semifinal series against the Star Hotshots.
The Bolts are up 2-0 in the other best-of-five semis and only need one more win to make a return trip to the finals.