Tropa, Gin Kings not resting easy

MANILA, Philippines —  If drawing first blood against a tough opponent was hard, making it two in a row is doubly tougher.

That’s why defending champion TNT and Barangay Ginebra aren’t resting easy as they head to Game 2 of their respective PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal assignments today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Giga, after their opening 90-81 verdict, seek a 2-nil edge and create more distance from Rain or Shine in the race-to-four affair at 5 p.m. while the Gin Kings shoot for a follow-up to their 122-105 Game 1 romp versus San Miguel Beer at 7:30 p.m.

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said it’s imperative that the troops maintain the same mindset against Aaron Fuller and the ROS young guns that lifted them to success in Wednesday’s curtain raiser.

“Do it as a team, do it together, have your brothers’ back out there every play, every possession. I think we’ll be good,” said RHJ, who went an assist short of a triple double in leading this first strike by the Tropang Giga.

Coach Chot Reyes tasked the Tropang Giga to keep their defensive shape against ROS offensive weapons.

“For us to win, we have to limit their production. And as Rondae said, just everyone pitching in” said Reyes. “It really starts with that defensive mentality.”

Elasto Painters counterpart Yeng Guiao isn’t in panic mode, though, as he feels his charges are ready for a long battle.

“Maganda pa rin ang pakiramdam ko,” Guiao said. “Tingin ko, habang humahaba ang series, it could be more advantageous to us. We will try to keep winning because every win extends the series to another game.”

Gin Kings mentor Tim Cone admitted the biggest concern is how to keep Justin Brownlee and Co. driven after gaining payback on SMB for its 49-point beating back in the elims.

“Now the question is: Can we continue to motivate ourselves into Game 2 because we did it (revenge) and we got to feel good about ourselves. But can we turn around and follow it up because you know them (SMB), they’re going to come back and use all that talent and experience that they have to play a really good game on Game 2,” said Cone.