Semis unwraps

For teams in the semis, it s eems like a long time between games, but for Ginebra, it seems like a really quick turnaround.

GINEBRA head coach Tim Cone is wary of the dangerous NorthPort squad. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG @tribunephl_dvd

Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort usher the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup as they begin their best-of-five semifinal series today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

As the league took a break to give way for the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the semifinalists have ample time to prepare as they pursue the season-ending conference crown.

But not the Gin Kings whose core and head coach participated in the biennial meet where the country retained the gold medal in the men’s basketball competition.

“For teams in the semis, it seems like a long time between games, but for Ginebra, it seems like a really quick turnaround. Coach Olsen (Racela) did a great job, however, of keeping our guys sharp and ready during the SEA Games, and those players who participated in the SEA Games are pumped to get the semis going,” Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said.

“I think we’ll be alright in Game 1. We know NorthPort is coming in with a lot of confidence and momentum after knocking out the number one seed,” he added.

The Gin Kings and the Batang Pier face off at 6:30 p.m. with the latter riding on the crest of their stunning upset win against No. 1 seed NLEX in the quarterfinal series.

The wards of head coach Pido Jarencio, seeded No 8, had to win twice against the Road Warriors to advance to the semis.

“We just have to be consistent defensively and offensively. We’re up against Ginebra and we all know that we’re at a slight disadvantage against them, they’re a championship team,” Jarencio said.

“So, we really need to be match up with them, in terms of intensity, energy, aggressiveness, we have to out work and out play them to win because if we don’t we’re in trouble,” he added.

The last time NorthPort was in semis was in 2015 Philippine Cup with the team still being bannered by its dynamic backcourt duo of Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo.

Pringle is now with Ginebra while Romeo was traded to San Miguel Beer and Batang Pier have to rely on their young players to keep pace with the talented Gin Kings.

Christian Standhardinger, Michael Qualls and Sean Anthony have been providing solid games for Batang Pier as of late with the trio combined forces to topple NLEX in the do-or-die quarterfinal match.

Standhardinger, who came via trade with the Beermen for Moala Tautuaa, also played for Cone with the Gilas Pilipinas squad and is expected to anchor the franchise’s drive for its first-ever finals appearance.

“Being tired is not an option now because this is the playoffs. We’ll be going into battle in the semis, you wouldn’t think about being tired and all that,” Jarencio said.

“There is nothing special about this one. Our team has a goal, our mindset is to win every single game and reach the finals but it will take a lot of hardwork, you need to be focused and you need to play as one,” he added. “We’re feeling no pressure, we’re just gonna enjoy it.”