BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel believes with Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray back in harness and Troy Rosario now on board, it is well-equipped for the coming PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup title rematch with tormentor TNT.
The Tropang Giga feel that even without heart and soul Jayson Castro, they can contend for the coveted trophy in the mid-season conference.
"I think we're coming into this series with a lot more depth than we had in the last time we played them and I think that's going to be a big factor for us. Just the idea that we have a little bit more depth and length than we had in the last series we played," Malonzo said.
Malonzo is nearing top form after a long layoff from calf injury that forced him out of action when the Tropang Giga beat the Gin Kings, 4-2, in the season-opening Governors' Cup to retain the crown.
Gray, back from ACL, is getting his feet wet after a long hiatus from knee injury.
Sponsored content:
Rosario, a former TNT stalwart himself, joined Ginebra as a free agent before the Commissioner's Cup. Rosario is currently undergoing rehab for a sprained ankle he sustained in the closeout of semifinal opponent NorthPort last Friday but is hopeful to be good to go in the Finals opener on Friday at the MOA Arena.
If Ginebra added ammo for this second Last Dance this season and third overall in the last five conferences, TNT lost a major player in Castro, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Game 2 of the semifinal series with Rain or Shine.
Though shocked by the abrupt exit of "The Blur," who was Finals MVP in the last Governors' Cup, the Tropang Giga are soldiering on.
"Our ability to play at a high level without Jayson (will be key)," said TNT mentor Chot Reyes.
"He was the last Finals MVP. So it's like taking that piece away and it's going to be a telling factor. Having said that, these other players that we have are not going to sell them short because they've really shown in the last series how well they can play even without Jayson. But I'd be lying if we don't admit that it will be a big factor."
Sponsored content:
TNT plans to fill in Castro's shoes by committee.
"I've said this before. I don't think anyone can fill in the shoes of Jason. So we're just asking all the other players to give in a little bit more and try to contribute a little more than what they usually do. So that we can all try and make up for Jason's loss. So that's the best we can do po really is to hope that effort of the others is enough to cover for Jason not being here with us." (OL)
