SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — It has been clear from the very beginning of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals what Meralco wants: Beat Ginebra.
After all, the Gin Kings have been the major ‘kontrapelo’ for the Bolts. They’ve beaten the latter thrice in the last four Governors’ Cup Finals — including last season, that proved to be the shortest series since it only lasts for five games.
Now, the MVP Group-owned franchise has a chance to avenge all those heartbreaks in the winner-take-all Game Five tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Confidence is sky-high for Meralco heading into the match, following its gritty 83-80 victory in Game Four last Wednesday. They withstood Ginebra’s major blows down the stretch thanks to Reynel Hugnatan and Raymond Almazan.
That win not only extended the series, but also proved that the Bolts play much better with their backs against the wall. They are now a perfect 3-0 in the do-or-die games they’ve played this season.
The first two were in the quarterfinals, where they overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage to end San Miguel’s five-year reign.
Now, they will be tested again in this no-tomorrow match, and head coach Norman Black likes his team’s chances.
“I think the challenge going into the next game is to be a little bit ahead of them because so far we’ve been reacting,” he said.
Still, the decorated mentor is aware of the challenges for the Bolts if they want to accomplish their goal of finally winning a playoff series against the Barangay.
Among those is making it hard for Stanley Pringle again. Pringle finished with 18 points last game, although he needed 19 shots to do so.
Pringle was the one whom Ginebra went to down the stretch as they looked to snatch the game, but saw his lay-up blocked by Almazan.
“Game Four was a great game for Meralco, that was the kind of playoff game that you want to be a part of,” said Cone.
And Cone looks to prepare his troops in handing their arch-rivals another heartbreak.
“But we’re not going to hang our heads. We’ll be ready in Game Five.”
