Barangay Ginebra and Meralco collide today in a game so crucial, both of them are expected to give their all owing to their respective goals and motivations.
The Gin Kings are looking to sink the Bolts in a hole where no team normally gets out.
The Bolts thus are trying to avoid falling into that pit and stay in contention for their first-ever title in the PBA.
“We expect Game 4 to be another huge battle,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “I said it before, these are the games we’re gonna have—ping-pong, back and forth—and nothing’s gonna come easy. We learned that in Game 2. Nothing’s easy.”
Leaning on a third quarter assault, the Gin Kings demolished the Bolts in Game 3 last Sunday, 92-84, for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.
A Ginebra win in the 7 p.m. tussle will give the Gin Kings a commanding 3-1 lead which is not insurmountable, but is too hard to overcome.
“We are in a must-win situation again so we will be there fighting,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
The situation though is not new for the Bolts, who were able to bounce back from a Game 1 loss and level the series in Lucena City last Friday.
Last Sunday, however, the Bolts failed to sustain the momentum. They were only in the game in the first half, and folded up in the third as the Gin Kings decked them with furious offensive that resulted into the league’s most popular ballclub posting a 78-58 lead at the end of the third.
“We must improve out defense to give ourselves a chance,” added Black.
The trouble with the Bolts is that they may play today without Raymond Almazan, who injured his left knee last time around.
“(Raymond) Almazan has a torn meniscal tear in his left knee. He is a game time decision as far as if he will play in Game 4,” said Black.
“He will warm up before the game and let me know,” added Black.