ANTIPOLO — Jordan Murphy expects a difficult battle ahead as Ginebra and TNT duke it out in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinals, marking yet another clash between two of the league’s best teams in recent years.
Specifically in going up against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who has undeniably been the reason behind the reigning conference champions’ resurgence since he returned to action after recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered last year.
“Man, that’s gotta be a hard match-up,” the league first-timer said.
“Obviously, he’s an elite player, an elite defender; he’s a leader for that team.”
(C) PBA Images
The three-time Best Import plunged back into action last October 13 after 10 months of healing and undergoing rehab and has since enjoyed a triumphant run, powering TNT to four wins in the five games he’s played thus far.
That included a mighty three-game sweep of Coach LA Tenorio and Magnolia, the No. 1 team of Group B, in the quarters to book another trip to the Final Four.
It gave the flagship MVP franchise a much earlier rest for the best-of-5 semis that’s set to tip off in December, and some time as well to monitor the entire series between the Kings and San Miguel in the playoffs’ opening round.
And for sure, RHJ & Co. saw how the rivalry affair went the full route, with the crowd darlings ultimately coming out triumphant with a 110-94 Game 5 win in which they went on a 38-6 run, abridging the third and fourth quarters.
Murphy himself was crucial in the victory, firing 31 points and 11 rebounds as he regained his scoring touch in time after being targeted by the opposing defense during Games 3 and 4, which the Beermen won to tie the series at 2-2.
“That was my teammates finding me, having confidence in me. All week they’re telling me to just not worry about the last two games, and keep going,” said the 29-year-old forward, who shot 8-of-14 from the floor and went 15-of-16 from the line.
“That’s just what I did. I was just aggressive like I usually am and let the chips fall where they may.”
(C) PBA Images
By leading the Kings to another semis trip and the first in the PBA for himself, Murphy has also gotten the best of his good friend in George King, who also finished with 31 points alongside six rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
“I mean, it’s tough to play against him; he made everything super uncomfortable even though we’re good friends,” admitted the Minnesota product.
“I know there’s no friendship during the series; hopefully now we can finally have a conversation. We’ll be able to look back on this and laugh about it.”
For sure, going up against a ‘balik-import’ like King has toughened him up, especially when he goes up against somebody as revered as the 31-year-old Hollis-Jefferson, who’s aiming to win his fourth championship with TNT.
And it’s definitely going to be a truly fresh duel ahead between the two imports after the former NBA veteran squared off against Justin Brownlee countless times in the past, all of which went down to be classic heavyweight bouts.
“He means a lot to them so hopefully we can do our best,” said Murphy, eager for the semis to start.
“It’s gonna be an entertaining matchup for everybody.”
