Facing Ginebra is no longer about gaining experience for Bong Quinto.
He wants to win this time.
“Ito ‘yung para sa akin, hindi na ‘to pang-experience lang,” the Meralco winger said. “Usually ‘pag rookie ka, sophomore ka, gusto mo lang ng experience.
“Ngayon, gustong-gusto ko talagang manalo,” he added.
The five-year pro said as much shortly after the Bolts prevented the Kings from finishing the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals and instead sent the series to a Game 7 by way of an 86-81 win, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Quinto himself played a crucial role in the season-saving victory, firing a career-high 23 points on an efficient 9-of-16 shooting from the floor — including 3-of-6 from deep — as he helped out in their strong fourth-quarter finish.
“Feeling ko nakatulong ‘yung 3 a.m. ka na makatulog. Sobrang stressful talaga,” said the Letran product, referring to how tough it is every time they go up against a team that’s long been a tormentor of the MVP Group-owned franchise.
It’s an outing fueled mostly by past disappointments from the crowd darlings.
Quinto has lost to Ginebra thrice in the playoffs, including twice in the Finals — a 4-1 defeat in the 2019-20 Governors’ Cup Finals, and then a 4-2 loss in the 2021-22 edition of the same import-laden conference.
They did beat the Kings in the 2022 Philippine Cup quarterfinals and definitely, they want to repeat as much, which, if they do, would also be their first-ever triumph in a best-of-7 playoff series — they’re 0-6 in such a setting.
“Dalawang beses na ako pinaiyak ng Ginebra, dalawang Finals na. Tapos ganyan na naman, sila na naman kalaban,” he said. “Lagi kong iniisip and nag-a-ask ako ng guidance sa Panginoon na, ‘yun nga, kung ito ‘yung will Niya.
“Gagawin ko lahat para makatulong sa team.”
Game 7 is on Friday in San Jose, Batangas.
