SETTING THE STAGE: Ginebra, TNT eye imposing series leads

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. --- TNT vs Rain or Shine

7:30 p.m. --- Ginebra vs NorthPort

It appears that Barangay Ginebra and TNT are clearing the way for a second straight championship showdown in the 49th season of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Both squads go for a commanding 3-0 lead in their respective Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinal series today as action shifts back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings look to drag struggling top-seeded NorthPort down a deeper hole when they meet again in the main game set at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga battle Rain or Shine at 5 p.m. with the possibility of missing veteran guard Jayson Castro after hurting his knee in the second game.

Ginebra has been dominating the series, blowing out the overwhelmed Batang Pier in the first two outings including a 119-106 victory in Game 2 last Friday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

It was another lopsided affair after the Kings entered the half with a 29-point margin and even opened a 35-point gap in the third quarter.

Despite seemingly having NorthPort’s number, Ginebra coach Tim Cone warns his team that taking a step back and being too complacent could give its rival enough room to mount a comeback.

“We’re doing a pretty good job right now but again we got a little bit sloppy in the third and fourth quarter and allowed them to come back,” Cone said as the Kings’ defensive intensity dipped in the second half of Game 2.

“We’ve gotta go back into the next game with more discipline with the way we approach the game.”

The Batang Pier after trailing big, cut their deficit in half, drawing close by 15 which forced Cone to bring back his wrecking crew in Japeth Aguilar, who had a career night with 31 points, import Justin Brownlee, Jamie Malonzo and Scottie Thompson to restore order.

“I think NorthPort found a little crack in our armor in the third and fourth quarter so we have to prepare for that coming into Game 3,” said Cone, who welcomed wingman Jeremiah Gray back after almost two years of absence due to a right knee injury.

Best Player of the Conference Arvin Tolentino must snap out of a two-game scoring funk to save NorthPort’s campaign. The forward averaged a quiet 10 points per outing way below his norms of 23 points per game during the elims.

Reinforcement Kadeem Jack, Joshua Munzon and Will Navarro so far have been consistent in their contributions for the Batang Pier but definitely need much more support from the rest of head coach Bonnie Tan’s crew.

On the other hand, TNT braces for the possibility of missing Castro in the pivotal Game 3 of the series that has been tight since the opener.

The Tropang Giga survived losing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Castro in the closing stretch of the fourth period to bring down the Elasto Painters, 93-91.

TNT’s win has drawn it closer to a second straight championship appearance after ruling the season-opening Governors’ Cup at the expense of Ginebra.

But head coach Chot Reyes knows Rain or Shine is very much capable of turning the series around so there will be no letting up on the Tropang Giga’s end.

“This could have been 2-0 the other way. This is how close this series is. We don’t feel we’re up 2-0 at all,” he said.

“Our approach next game is that as if we do not have that kind of an advantage.”

TNT saw Hollis-Jefferson foul out with more than five minutes left in the fourth and Castro twisting his right knee following a bad landing off a layup with 3:07 left in the game.

The seasoned guard was stretchered out of the arena and was rushed to the hospital.

“Very concerning from my standpoint when I saw the replay. Very concerning not only for this series but for Jason’s well-being long term, his physical fitness, his health,” Reyes said.

“The only thing we could do now is hope and pray.”

The Elasto Painters could pounce on the opportunity and turn the series around against the same team that booted them out in the semis of the Governors’ Cup in five games.