TnT is fighting to win the only conference that has eluded the franchise since joining the PBA in 1996. Barangay Ginebra is fighting to keep its hold on its besieged kingdom.
With clashing goals, the on-the-prowl Tropang Giga and the embattled Gin Kings square off for an explosive, high-stakes Game 6 of the Governors' Cup Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The troops of Jojo Lastimosa, who got on the hill with a 104-95 verdict last Wednesday, can end this emotional tug-of-war by making it three straight against Tim Cone's charges and pulling the clincher in the 5:45 p.m. encounter.
Achieving this offers an enticing proposition but Lastimosa is not getting ahead of himself.
"It will be an accomplishment, I'll be honored to beat him if I can in this series. But it's a long series and closeout games are really, really hard," said the TNT tactician, who's on course for a Cinderella finish in his first time at the helm.
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TnT doesn't have to look far to see how hard, really.
Back in the Philippine Cup finale, the Tropang Giga held a similar 3-2 lead against San Miguel Beer. However, they couldn't get the job done in Game 6 and eventually lost the decider, too.
Now they're determined to bring this to the finish line.
"I wish I can flip the script but it's easier said than done, especially going up against Ginebra, against Tim and against (import Justin) Brownlee," Lastimosa said.
"You have to understand that coming in here (finals), we have nothing to lose. These guys are just playing. It just so happens we're given the opportunity to grab it and beat them. We will. But they (Ginebra) are still the favorites. Even if we're up 3-2 hindi kami kampante. We know how hard it is to win over them," he said.
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A major concern for the Gin Kings is Brownlee's fitness level. The three-time Best Import suffered from food poisoning last Wednesday and missed the last 20 minutes of action in Ginebra's 104-95 Game 5 loss.
"He's out of the hospital but missed practice (Thursday). We do expect him to play tomorrow (Friday), though we don't expect him to be 100 percent," said Cone of Brownlee, who saw action for only 25 minutes and finished with 14.
Ginebra is facing its first 2-3 deficit in the finals under Cone and is hard-pressed to salvage the situation.
The most immediate task of course is to first tie it at 3-3.
"We need to recover and give it our absolute all in the next game and hope that we can get the victory and set a Game 7," said Best Player of the Conference Christian Standhardinger, who did the heavy lifting minus Brownlee and himself was too exhausted that he took IV fluid at the dugout post-game.
Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who had a triple double in Game 5, is ready to duke it out in the clincher attempt.
"It's about getting the proper rest, taking care of body and knowing what you need to do to get close to 100 percent then focus on Game 6," he said. "I feel confident about our ability (to finish the task)." (OL)
