BASED on their recent duels, it sure seems Barangay Ginebra has Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok's number.
"Ilan na bang games ang hindi kami nananalo sa kanila? Lima, anim?" posed Hotshots star guard Paul Lee.
Actually, it is seven.
But if most people are lulled into thinking such a trend would continue in their PBA Governors Cup semifinals match-up, no less than Kings coach Tim Cone warned that could not be the case this time.
"it's going to be a tough one for us," Cone has said.
Sponsored content:
Whether Cone would prove prophetic or Ginebra would continue to cast its spell on Magnolia and romp off to realizing a tournament three-peat would be known starting Saturday when their best-of-five series kicks off at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
As in any series, getting the opening match is a crucial one, both for the morale boost and to find out if the teams' pre-semis predictions would play out.
Either way, the protagonists both expect a long night.
"It's nice to be back in the semis. We missed it the last conference," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, who started handling the team only before last season but has now steered it to a fifth Final Four in the last six conferences.
"But we have a big task ahead of us," added Victolero. "Obviously, we're the underdog in this series against the defending champions, but nothing is impossible."
Sponsored content:
Cone knows that and has put his finger on the "big challenges" in front of his team, primarily the Hotshots' lethal backcourt led by Paul Lee and import Romeo Travis.
Making sure we're not turning the ball over, allowing them to get out on the open court with their young, quick guards and trying to figure out a way to stop Paul Lee.
"Their guards are so quick," noted Cone. "They jump into the passing lanes, they get into you and it can be very frustrating to play against that kind of style.
"Then you've got the great Paul Lee. He controls the game. He just plays in a different tempo than everybody else. He just controls the game. You've really got to try to figure out a way to knock him off his rhythm because he plays with such a tremendous rhythm.
"Those are our big challenges. Making sure we're not turning the ball over, allowing them to get out on the open court with their young, quick guards and trying to figure out a way to stop Paul Lee."
And then there's Travis.
"He's a rock out there. He never panics, never makes bad plays," said Cone. "He's not afraid of the moment at any time. Like I said, he's a rock out there. He's so steady.
"So we definitely have the things we have to worry about. We have to take care of them."
Ginebra's arsenal is as equally, if not better, stocked.
Justin Brownlee has been his usual all-around self and his job has been made easier with the return to action of Greg Slaughter and Sol Mercado.
Along with the other locals, led by Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson and Aljon Mariano, the Kings sure look formidable indeed.
"We just need to double our efforts, execute our game plan, work very hard on both ends and we need to be mentally tough so we can have a chance to win the series," said Victolero.
"Every game is a grinding game. We expect a very tough series."
