TNT and Ginebra can set up another showdown in the Big Dance should they take care of their own businesses in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner/s Cup semifinals later tonight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Both the traditional contenders are up 3-2 in their respective series, and could finish off their opponents in Game 6 — which, if they do, would arrange another meeting between the protagonists of the previous midseason joust’s finale.
The corporate rivals had fought for Commissioner’s Cup supremacy back in Season 49, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang 5G outlasting the Kings in a best-of-7 series that went the distance.
And what happened in that championship bout is exactly the reason why Coach Tim Cone refuses to look too far ahead, with all his attention set on Rain or Shine and Rain or Shine alone and in their 5:15 PM bout.
Ginebra was also up 3-2 in that Finals, only to waste the lead as TNT narrowly took Game 6 before escaping with a thrilling 87-83 overtime win in Game 7, which was witnessed by 21, 274 fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“We’ve been in this situation before. We led 3-2 and then got beat,” he recalled, shortly after their 111-104 win over the Elasto Painters back in Game 5 last Friday. “It’s too easy to get euphoric with the 3-2 lead. We’re not.”
On the other hand, Rain or Shine would want to emulate TNT to keep its conference alive. Head coach Yeng Guiao, even with their backs against the wall, remains optimistic about their chances of forcing a winner-take-all.
Guiao was proud of the way his wards fought despite falling short. Now, their focus is on trying to adjust the best they can for Game 6, especially in trying to limit their foes’ outside shooting after hitting 16 the last time out.
Another point of attack of theirs defensively, for sure, is RJ Abarrientos, who fired 31 points in Game 5 after being held to just eight in the match prior.
“I feel they’re very positive about the Sunday game,” he said. “You can feel na meron silang kumpiyansa na makakabalik sila. So to me, that’s a good sign.”
As far as the Casino Plus sportsbook is concerned, Rain or Shine is a +2.5 underdog heading into the game. The over/under is set at 188.5.
Wagers can be placed here: https://www.casinoplus.com.ph/home/inGame?name=basketball&title=SportBet.
(C) PBA Images
TNT, on the other hand, will go for the kill against Meralco at 7:30 PM, to return to the Finals and get itself the opportunity to keep its kingship of the tilt.
Coach Chot Reyes & Co. moved a step closer to booking another trip to the grand stage following a 103-95 win in Game 5, which saw Chris McCullough star with 42 points and 11 rebounds as he powered the fourth-quarter pullaway.
He scored 17 in the period as the former Commissioner’s Cup champion with San Miguel got his legs back under him, proving as well how scary they could be once he shakes off the rust — as he guaranteed after their Game 4 loss.
He isn’t the only one to adjust well. The locals did too, with Jordan Heading & Co. having figured out quickly how to play with the former NBA pro.
“Just focus on what we have to do, go to practice and work on things we need to work on, and just come out aggressive already. We were very aggressive from the start, and that’s where we got to go for the next game,” McCullough said.
If TNT does get the job done, it will return to the Finals for a chance to rebound after back-to-back Philippine Cup runner-up finishes to the Beermen.
According to the Casino Plus sportsbook, TNT is a +5.5 underdog as of 11:30 a.m. The over/under is set at 188.5.
