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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, October 27, 2017
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MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and Meralco Bolts will battle out one last time to determine the PBA Governors’ Cup victor in Game 7 of the best-of-seven finals tonight at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Kings aims to keep its Governors’ Cup crown while Bolts will chase its first-ever PBA title in the do-or-die match at 7 o’clock.
Bolts lived to fight another day after defeating the defending champion 98-91 in Game 6 on Wednesday night – thanks to splendid plays from Allen Durham and Reynel Hugnatan.
Despite winning three games over Kings in the series, repeating another victory over the crowd favorite will be a tough task for Meralco, admits Bolts head coach Norman Black.
“It was really tough to beat Ginebra,” Black said. “They are well-coached, they play hard every game, and they have the crowd support so they never really get down. And you really have to fight every second just to beat them.”
Hugnatan, one of Bolts’ focal points of offense since Ranidel de Ocampo was injured, said he expects his teammates to give their all in the knockout game.
“Inaasahan ko na magpapakita ang mga kakampi ko kasi, if ever, first championship ito ng Meralco,” said Hugnatan. “Sa part ko naman, gagawin ko rin ang lahat para makatulong. Crowning glory na rin sa career ko ito if ever dahil tumatanda na rin tayo.”
Kings head coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, urged his players to move on from the Game 6 debacle and make a strong start in Game 7.
“Closeout games are really hard to do. It’s just a hard thing to get done, and I have a number in my career and never found a surefire way to win that closeout game,” said Cone. “We have to move on and make sure to avoid the same start in Game 7.”
Justin Brownlee, who hit the championship-sealing triple in the Governors’ Cup finals last year against Bolts, hopes to replicate his heroics.
“We’re going to be prepared, we’re going to come out with great energy and aggression, and we will be ready to defend the crown,” he said. “The perfect moment will be winning the championship but it will also be nice if we win it in spectacular fashion.”
Both teams will get in the game handicapped. Bolts is missing injured de Ocampo and suspended Kelly Nabong while Kings is without Solomon Mercado and Arthur Dela Cruz due to injuries./PN
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