KING-DOM COME II?
Ginebra seeks record title repeat vs Meralco
Barangay Ginebra is exuding confidence as it chases history with a first title repeat as the Kings go for the crown versus the Meralco Bolts in Game Six of their PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven title rematch at the Philippine Arena.
“We know we’ll have to scratch and claw to close this in six (games). I believe we’re up to the challenge,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone on the eve of the 7 p.m. match.
“We’re going to get fired up. We’ll be ready,” said import Justin Brownlee, determined to lead the Kings to a repeat of their conquest of Allen Durham and the Bolts in the finals of the same tourney last year.
It’s’s a feat Ginebra hasn’t achieved since the Añejo days of coach Robert Jaworski in the 80s.
The Kings go for the kill before a crowd expected to be bigger than the record 36,445 fans that filled the huge Bocaue, Bulacan dome in Game Five Sunday.
The Bolts, however, vow to go all out to foil the Kings’ bid and preserve their own title aspiration.
Game Seven, if necessary, will also be at the Philippine Arena on Friday.
“We’ll do what it takes to win. We understand it’s a do-or-die for us. We understand the situation,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
Admitting the Kings came out the more prepared team the last time, Black said that surely wouldn’t be the case in Game Six.
“We have to be a little more aggressive. We can’t let them hit us first like they did in Game Five,” said Black.
The Meralco bench chieftain hopes to draw more from Allen Durham’s backups most especially from their backcourt duo of Baser Amer and Chris Newsome.
At the frontcourt, Cone figured out a winning move Wednesday in letting Greg Slaughter to start and play extended minutes. The 7-foot-1 behemoth responded in churning out doubledouble numbers with 17 points and 16 rebounds that went with six blocks.