MISSING a sweep, Barangay Ginebra is now eyeing the next shortest route to the finals.
Stopped on their tracks Wednesday, the Gin Kings have returned to the drawing board and are now more determined to go for the kill, wary of the danger of further extension of the series.
Coach Tim Cone's troops eye a quick rebound from their 108-103 setback Wednesday, going for a 4-1 clincher versus the NorthPort Batang Pier as the TNT Tropang Giga seek the same versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the other semis series in this PBA Commissioner's Cup Final Four.
Game Five is also set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday, with the Batang Pier expected to come out with renewed energy, vigor and hope after finally pulling one over the Kings the last time.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
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Arvin Tolentino said beating Ginebra four in a row is highly improbable but it's not impossible.
He said it's on them to find a way.
The NorthPort coaching staff believes it would start on making the stops.
Kadeem Jack and his teammates did that in Game Four, limiting the Gin Kings to 103 after allowing them pour in an average of over 120 in the first three games.
"First thing the coaching staff led by coach Bonnie Tan pointed out to the players was energy and aggressiveness on defense," assistant coach Renzy Bajar said after the life-saving win after three routs (115-93, 119-103, 127-100).
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"In this game, they really took it to heart, applying pressure from Ginebra's backcourt to the frontcourt and playing how we wanted them to play, especially on defense," he added.
And with their stoppages came the transition buckets, with Jack finding a lot of help from Tolentino, William Navarro, Joshua Munzon and Game Four "Magic Bunot" Paolo Taha.
But surely all these are not lost on the Gin Kings.
They've been through these a lot of times. And they're grizzled warriors that they won't be rattled by a minor bump. (SB)
