MANILA, Philippines — Muntik nang magkasuntukan sina Barangay Ginebra big guard Arvin Tolentino at Meralco backup center Raymar Jose sa huling pitong segundo sa Game One noong Miyerkules.
Nagpatuloy pa ang pormahan nina Tolentino at Jose hanggang sa labas ng kani-kanilang dugout sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Inaasahan ni head coach Norman Black na mas magkakainitan pa ang kanyang mga Bolts at Gin Kings sa Game Two ng PBA Governors’ Cup Finals ngayong alas-6 ng gabi sa MOA Arena sa Pasay City.
“With a lot of commotion that went on at the end of the game, I would imagine Game Two will be very exciting,” wika ni Black.
Inangkin ng Meralco ang 1-0 lead matapos basagin ang Ginebra sa Game One, 104-91, tampok ang 22 points ni Allein Maliksi.
“I thought we got off to a good start offensively and our defense held up very, very well,” wika ni Black na nakahugot kay import Tony Bishop ng 20 points, 12 rebounds at 4 assists para sa panalo ng Bolts.
Tumapos naman si Gin Kings’ reinforcement Justin Brownlee na may 27 markers, habang nagposte si Scottie Thompson ng triple-double na 19 points, 10 rebounds at 10 assists.
Sinabi ni Black na tiyak mas magiging agresibo ang Ginebra para makatabla sa kanilang best-of-seven championship series.
“It’s very important to get that first win,” wika ng one-time PBA Grand Slam champion coach. “If you fall behind in this series, it’s going to be very hard to catch up.”
Posible pa ring ipahinga ni Gin Kings’ coach Tim Cone si forward Japeth Aguilar na nagkaroong ng calf injury sa Game One ng kanilang semifinals series ng NLEX Road Warriors.
Walang solidong suportang nakuha si Fil-German center Christian Standhardinger sa Game One kung saan siya nagtala ng 20 points, 14 boards at 3 assists.
Samantala, handa pa rin si Fil-Italian guard Chris Banchero na maglaro para makatulong sa Bolts bagama’t may iniindang bask spasm.
“I’m good enough to play,” ani Banchero.