History was made at the Ynares Center, Antipolo, last Sunday as a record crowd of 11,021 turned out for Game One of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra. The attendance broke the mark of 10,952 set during the 2011-12 Philippine Cup. TNT led from start to finish and drew first blood, 104-88.
Ginebra veteran Joe DeVance, reactivated after a two-year retirement, showed up in uniform but didn’t play, still recovering from a left knee bone bruise. Coach Tim Cone said his presence alone is a big lift and DeVance may be good to go down the road. DeVance said Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is a prickly thorn and more versatile than either Meralco’s Allen Durham or San Miguel Beer’s EJ Anosike whom Ginebra earlier faced in the playoffs. Although Jayson Castro schooled RJ Abarrientos in Game One, DeVance said Ginebra’s prized rookie is an emerging star and called him a flashier version of LA Tenorio.
Jared Dillinger said DeVance may be back starting Game Two or Game Three and his return will impact Cone’s substitution scheming. He added that defending RHJ is critical. “We did a good job on RHJ in a handful of areas but I think we helped a little too much off the ball,” noted the Daredevil. “JP (Erram) hit some big shots, he was the X-factor, stretching the floor. TNT’s strictly an iso team, they’re last in assists but they find ways to be effective without making passes to earn buckets. We’ve got to flip the script on matchups in Game Two. It’s like in the San Miguel series, RJ (Abarrientos) flipped the script on Terrence (Romeo).” Dillinger said Ginebra shooting 2-of-21 from three was an anomaly. “We were out of form but we know coach Tim is great at making adjustments,” he said.
For Ginebra to win in Game Two, here are three key points: Pressure in the backcourt as TNT’s guards are ball-dominant handlers with Roger Pogoy and Rey Nambatac lethal scorers, rebound by committee with Ginebra ranking a poor 11th in board work in the league and control the pace to allow max mileage from starters. For TNT to win, here are three key points: RHJ’s versatility to throw off Ginebra’s defense, close out hard or switch on Ginebra’s shooters and shut down passing lanes as Ginebra is No. 1 in assists and consequently, No. 1 in field goal percentage. In Game One, TNT influenced Justin Brownlee to abandon his deadly outside sniping and exploit his matchup against the shorter Pogoy. In Game Two, Brownlee can’t be goaded into leaving his perimeter comfort zone and has to reestablish his ability to space the floor. If the series extends to the limit, TNT has the advantage because of its deeper rotation so Game Two is almost a must-win for Ginebra.