Barangay Ginebra tries to put a new leaf on franchise history, going for a first ever successful title defense as the Kings tangle with the embattled Meralco Bolts in Game Six of their PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven championship series at the Philippine Arena Wednesday night.
The ball club from its Anejo days under playing coach Robert Jaworski in the 80s has won a total of nine championships, but has never scored a title repeat.
This is the closest they have been to making the rare feat, and Justin Brownlee and his teammates vow not to let the chance to slip away.
A win in the 7 p.m. setto Wednesday at the Philippine Arena will have the Kings repeating their conquest of the Bolts last year on a lethal buzzer-beating trey by Brownlee.
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The PBA will be providing free rides to fans coming from Manila (limited seats only). The JAM terminal in Cubao has been designated as pick-up and drop-off point. First trip leaves for the Philippine Arena at 2 p.m.
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An inspiration for the Kings is a much bigger crowd rocking, rolling and rollicking for the team in the huge Bocaue, Bulacan dome.
"It's amazing. I haven't played in any arena as big as this one and it just looks amazing coming out and see the crowd very excited," said Brownlee. "It's truly a blessing to be here and play before the fans."
"It's an awesome audience. And we look forward for the next one," said Greg Slaughter, raving at the record crowd of 36,445 in Game Five.
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Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they also took advantage of their familiarity with the atmosphere and surrounding in the venue where they had played twice before.
"I think we took advantage of the fact that the rims and everything, the surrounding were unfamiliar. It's hard to shoot when things are unfamiliar," said Cone.
"Ginebra played at the Philippine Arena before so they know pretty much how it would feel playing (there). We'd never played in the Philippine Arena before so it's new for us. But that's no excuse. We're professionals and we're assigned to play in this gym so we've to be at out best," said Meralco coach Norman Black for their part.
Black said they know very well their situation in Game Six.
"We'll do what it takes to win. We understand the next game is do-or-die for us. We understand the situation," Black said.
The Meralco bench chieftain said it would help if they draw some more from their key backcourt players Baser Amer and Chris Newsome who are struggling in the series versus LA Tenorio and Brownlee.
The Kings became a lot tougher Sunday when Cone started Slaughter in place of Japeth Aguilar then played him extended minutes.
"They started Greg, and they're a lot bigger. I didn't think we reacted very well to it," said Black.
"They played very well. Their defense was pretty solid and we got a little frustrated because of foul trouble. But we'll be ready Wednesday," Black added.
