THE PBA Governors' Cup Finals kickoff was more about will, desire and determination with the Barangay Ginebra Kings - with loads of it - jumping the gun on the TNT Tropang Giga.
The question now is how will the Tropa react and respond in Game 2.
"Talagang lahat gustong manalo," said Scottie Thompson of their 102-92 win Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"And mindset is sobrang crucial ang Game 1 at kailangan naming makuha ang panalo. So talagang aggressive kaming lahat," Thompson also said.
The Kings are now expecting the Tropang Giga to have the same mindset in a bounceback bid in Game 2 set at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
Sponsored content: Coach Tim Cone is bracing for a mighty fightback from the Tropa, particularly from their gunners who fired blanks Sunday.
"They didn't have a great shooting night in Game 1. But you know, they're going to have two or three games where they're going to shoot the lights out and there's probably nothing we can do about it. That didn't happen (last Sunday) so we're able to control the game a little bit," said Cone.
TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said they have adjustments to do and they have to find their touch if they're to strike back.
The Kings outplayed and outgunned the Tropa in Game 1 with 15-of-36 three-pointers as against TNT's 9-of-35 triples.
"Roger (Pogoy) and even Jayson (Castro), they know what needs to be done and I'm hoping they can pick it up offensively in the next game so it will be a better game for us," said Lastimosa.
Sponsored content: It would help a great deal if Justin Chua can return and Poy Erram can stick on playing the game.
Already sans Kelly Williams, TNT also saw Chua limp out never to return barely three minutes into the game. Erram joined Williams and Chua on the bench on successive fouls early in the fourth.
Erram finished with four points, six rebounds and two assists in a 19-minute stint marred by disqualification on six fouls and incessant complaining to the referees.
"Poy's got to do a better job of controlling his emotions...I was actually pissed at him; his teammates were actually getting on him because he's beginning to be a distraction by complaining too much," said Lastimosa. "And we need Poy in the game now that's Justin's out and Kelly's out."
Meanwhile, the Kings are a tested winning team they know they can't rest easy.
"Kahit paano may konting lead kami sa kanila but hindi pa rin ito assurance na maipapanalo namin ang series," said Thompson, the reigning MVP with a 10-13-11 triple-double job on the Easter Sunday setto. (SB)
