WITH the head start gained from a solid showing in the series kick-off, the TNT Tropang Giga are now looking forward to marching on and holding on to the lead.
The Barangay Ginebra Kings, on the other hand, are licking their wound and aching for a fightback.
It's either TNT widening the gap or Ginera levelling the series at one-game all as they resume their PBA Commissioner's Cup best-of-seven entanglement Sunday at the MOA Arena.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
"We got Game 1 and now it's about focusing on the next game and doing what we have to do to be better, to not let the lead drop, to not let our mental lapses take over the game. So it's about getting better," said TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a workhorse delivering near triple-double numbers in their 95-89 Game One triumph.
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RHJ acknowledges what's Ginebra is capable of with its never-say-die mantra, but insists they possess the same attitude.
"I'll say the good thing about it is it's two-sided. We're thinking the same way. We want to win every game, we want to compete at the highest level. If we were in their situation (trailing big), I'm pretty sure our guys would fight back. At the end of the day, you want to be able to believe in your guys to never give up and to keep going until the end of the game," he said.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they have to deal with what they have to.
"It's not what we wanted but we'll deal with it and we'll move forward," said Cone of their need to regroup and bounce back.
Thoroughly beat on both ends in Game One, the Kings, needless to say, have to go back to the boards and find ways to score and defend.
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What was expected to be a fierce duel to start the series turned to a one-sided affair with RHJ creating havoc with a near triple-double job with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, backed by the 14-of-37 three-pointers of the TNT shooters as against the mere 7-of-28 clip of the Gin Kings.
On defense, the Tropang Giga were also superb, holding the Kings 15 points off their average of 105 from the elims to the semis.
RR Pogoy rifled in five treys while Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, Rey Nambatac and Glenn Khobuntin fired two each in a hot TNT shooting that well made up for the absence of ace playmaker Jayson Castro.
Torrid shooting fueled TNT's early breakaway, then the Tropang Giga displayed poise, grace and staying power to sail through to a winning start in a journey towards possible back-to-back titles in PBA Season 49.(SB)
