Bay Area to leave it all on floor

MANILA, Philippines — It’s do-or-die for Bay Area against Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight and Dragons coach Brian Goorjian vowed “to seize the day” in trying to force a winner-take-all clincher at the Philippine Arena on Friday.

“It’s been challenging,” said Goorjian. “We’ve added a couple of guys to our rotation and we got another game. We’ll seize the day and leave it all on the floor.” The Australian national coach referred to 6-8 Qilong Zheng and 6-6 Jianhua Song who logged over 30 minutes each in Game 5 last Sunday while Andrew Nicholson and Glen Yang were sidelined. Additionally, Goorjian managed 6-9 Zhu Songwei’s minutes and sat him down the entire fourth quarter.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone said he’s bracing for a Bay Area bounceback after the Gin Kings won, 101-91, in Game 5 to open a 3-2 series lead and inch a win away from wrapping up the crown. “We know how hard it is to close out a good team and Bay Area is a great team so we have our work cut out for us,” said Cone who’s gunning for his 25th PBA title. “We’re hoping the two-day break rejuvenates us going into Game 6.”

Nicholson sprained his ankle late in Game 3 and skipped Games 4 and 5 to recover. Goorjian exercised Bay Area’s option to replace Nicholson with original import Myles Powell before the noon deadline yesterday. “We play a certain way with Myles, another with Nick, another with all local players,” said Goorjian. “In Game 5, (we played) all locals with no Glen. We tried to move the ball by committee. I’ve been happy with Games 4 and 5. We won Game 4 with all locals. Defended, rebounded and moved the ball nicely. But in Game 5, we were outrebounded, put them on the foul line and struggled offensively.”

Goorjian said the key is to excel in what the Dragons can control. “Rebounding, getting back on defense, playing defense without fouling,” he pointed out. EASL Philippine head Banjo Albano said playing without Nicholson and Yang in Game 5 created opportunities for the bench to come alive. “It was tough playing without Andrew and Glen but it was good to see our bench step up and battle,” he said. “Our back is against the wall but we’ll be ready for Game 6. The guys are locked in and excited to extend the series to Game 7. Andrew still can’t jump so we’re going with Myles. We’re left with no option. Myles hasn’t played a full practice since going down but he’ll do what he can.”