Having watched TNT multiple times in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup has made Barangay Ginebra grow familiar with Bol Bol and his style of play.
But it is by no means a guarantee that they have already figured out the 7-foot-3 beanpole, with the Kings bracing for a tough battle ahead when the long-time corporate rivals lock horns later tonight to close out the elimination round.
“We’ve seen them a lot. We’ve seen them for what, 11 games already? But just because you’re familiar with them doesn’t mean you know what you could do against them,” no less than head coach Tim Cone said, smiling.
If it’s just the two teams alone, calling themselves familiar with each other could be an understatement, given the number of times they’ve faced off, especially in the Finals–they met twice in the Big Dance during last season alone.
But this time around, there’s a walking mismatch in the equation, which the crowd darlings will be trying to solve in a test that starts at 7:30 p.m.
Bol has emerged as one of the league’s top imports and arguably the league’s biggest crowd drawer in this midseason conference, but the defending champions have been underwhelming, as evidenced by their 6-5 record.
While he’s getting the numbers, production from the locals has been scarce, with their 106-94 defeat to Magnolia last Tuesday a prime example, as Calvin Oftana proved to be his lone backup with 18 points on 17 shots.
It’s also their second straight loss, having bowed to Phoenix prior by way of a 100-97 overtime decision in a Labor Day special at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, which saw Tyler Tio hit the winning three over the ex-NBA pro.
Twelve thousand-plus fans showed up at the Big Dome since free tickets were given out, making it easily the biggest PBA crowd Bol has played in.
Perhaps, it served as a primer of sorts for the 26-year-old in facing Ginebra later at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, where a big audience is expected to be in attendance for the rematch of last season’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
As wary as they are, Cone and the Kings–already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage–are nonetheless excited to play against Bol and the Tropa.
“I think every team in the league looks forward to matching up to Bol Bol, and we’re no different,” he offered. “It’s gonna be a very interesting matchup, he causes very unique challenges, and he’s got a good group around him.
“It’s not like it’s a one-man show so we’re gonna have to find a balance between trying to defend him, and keeping Calvin (Oftana) and Roger (Pogoy) and Jordan (Heading) and the whole group, we’re gonna have to try to keep them silent as well,” he added.
Ginebra is a slight +3.0 underdog, according to Casino Plus sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 209.0.
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Meanwhile, Meralco and Magnolia will see action in the penultimate game of the eliminations at 5:15 p.m. in a meeting between teams hoping to continue their respective winning streaks entering the quarterfinals that start Wednesday.
The Bolts have won their last three outings by downing Ginebra, Blackwater, and Terrafirma, in that order, enabling them to complete the Top Four cast.
The Hotshots, on the other hand, have aced their last two assignments, first against Titan Ultra and then versus TNT, as mentioned, which was easily their most disciplined and most consistent outing as a whole to date.
It could actually be a teaser of their quarters series, too, granted that Magnolia comes out triumphant and the Gin Kings get to beat the Tropang 5G, according to the four scenarios provided by PBA head of statistics Fidel Mangonon III.
In the event the twice-to-beat Meralco wins, they could finish either second or third, depending on the result of their sister team’s clash with the Barangay.
A Ginebra-TNT meeting in the playoffs’ opening round–indeed an early duel given that they duke it out in two straight conferences in Season 49–is a possibility as well if both the Bolts and the Texters take care of business.
There could also be a Manila Clasico duel in the next phase, if the Hotshots stop the Bolts from their tracks and Bol gets to will his TNT to a victory.
Magnolia, though, is a +3.5 underdog against Meralco, according to Casino Plus sportsbook. The over/under is 199.5.
