‘Even without Justin, we have to be at our best.’
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the TNT Tropang Giga expect yet another bruising battle when they face Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series tonight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Photograph by Joey sanchez Mendoza for the Daily Tribune @tribunephl_joey
Game today:
(Ynares Center)
7:30 p.m. — TNT vs Ginebra
TNT Tropang Giga pulled off an incredible victory over Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series.
But for TNT coach Chot Reyes, it doesn’t mean a thing.
The Tropang Giga are determined to go all out when they battle the wounded Kings in Game 4 tonight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Tip-off is set at 7:30 p.m. with the Kings expected to miss do-it-all import Justin Brownlee who suffered a finger injury in the third quarter of their 85-87 loss in Game 3 late Wednesday.
Reyes, however, knows that Tim Cone and the Kings will do everything to live up to their “never-say-die” mantra by pulling off a crucial victory that will reduce the series into a race-to two contest.
“So, without Justin, somebody else is going to step up and they’re going to rely on their defense, their ability to defend us to generate stops for themselves. This is not over by any means,” said Reyes, who had to bank on Nambatac’s three-pointer in the final 30 seconds to escape a gritty Ginebra squad in Game 3 that gave them a 2-1 cushion.
“Even without Justin, we have to be at our best. I reminded the players how strong and deep that team is and told them not to let our guards down even with Brownlee out of the game.”
Brownlee, who scored 19 points in Game 3, dislocated his right thumb as he tried to save a loose ball with 6:42 left in the third quarter. He never returned and as he was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.
The Kings have yet to issue a statement regarding Brownlee’s condition.
Save for veteran playmaker Jayson Castro, the Tropang Giga will be at full strength heading into Game 4.
Reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will once again be at the firing end for the Tropang Giga after finishing with a double-double performance of 20 points and 11 rebounds while Calvin Oftana had 16 points and Glenn Khobuntin dropped 10 points, including a breakaway layup that sealed their Game 3 win.
Reyes said the absence of their leader — Castro — is hardly a factor as they have already made some key adjustments. However, he knows that Cone still has a lot of aces up his sleeves.
“They’re very disciplined. Coach Tim prides himself in his ability to defend in transition,” said Reyes, noting that the Kings were able to score 18 points off their 14 turnovers in Game 3.
Hollis-Jefferson wishes Brownlee a speedy recovery as he braces for another grueling match in Game 4.
“I don’t know what happened to Justin but my prayers and everything for him. I don’t wish that on anyone,” Hollis-Jefferson said.
“Hopefully, he is good and he can play.”
RJ Abarrientos, who scored 13 points in Game 3, said they have to step up and move forward to turn the tables on the surging Tropang Giga.
“Even if only the locals remain against a dominant team like TNT, we either take responsibility for the loss, finish the series, or hopefully, he (Brownlee) comes back,” Abarrientos said.
“It’s a big factor to lose JB but we have to move on. We need to face this.
But prior to the Game 4 hostilities, the league will be awarding the Best Import and the Best Player of the conference.
Hollis-Jefferson looks poised to win his third Best Import plum over Mike Watkins of NLEX while Oftana is said to have an edge over NorthPort hotshot Arvin Tolentino in the Best Player of the Conference derby.
