AS they love to say, Game Seven are the greatest two words in sports.
It's the pinnacle of all battles in a series, and this will determine the fate of TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra in their slam-bang, grind-out dispute for the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup hardware.
Will the Tropang Giga keep their glorious run following back-to-back Governors' Cup title conquests or the Gin Kings will get their revenge and the return ride to PBA throne?
A crowd of 17,654 witnessed TNT foiling Ginebra's close-out bid with an 87-83 decision Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. And an even bigger number is expected to fill the Big Dome all the way to the bleachers for this TNT-Ginebra fight for all the marbles starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
"Best two words in sports (Game 7). It's a players' game so all out na," said Gin Kings guard Scottie Thompson.
Sponsored content:
"Looking forward to Game Seven. I've never been in a Game Seven even in the NBA but at the end of the day, it's basketball," said TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. "It's do-a-die for both sides and time to give everything. I'm ready, I have that mindset to come in and give my all, fight like always and do whatever it takes to help us win."
The Ginebra franchise sports a 3-1 record in Game Sevens in PBA Finals while the PLDT/Smart flagship team holds a 2-2 mark.
RHJ sounds determined to march on coming from their lifesaving win Wednesday.
"Everybody's feeling good for one another but the job for us will always stay the same - it's not done until we win everything and I feel like everybody understands that," said RHJ.
Coach Chot Reyes' troops and coach Tim Cone's chargers are engaged in a fight for the ages, fiercer than their two previous title collisions. It's a virtual eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation that who never blinks may find success.
Sponsored content:
Considering they're in chase of a second gem to a possible grand slam, the Tropang Giga have a lot more to lose.
Of course, losing is also not an option for the Gin Kings who are out to avoid a treble of finals setbacks versus the Tropa.
Cone feels though that they're on a tougher situation.
"It's a little bit harder going into Game Seven coming off a loss rather than coming off a win. It's a tougher memory to get right in 24 hours and (be) ready to play so that's going to be our challenge," he said.
But no doubt, both are highly motivated. Technically, both can beat one another, with the Tropang Giga having been striking hard from deep while the Gin Kings have been pounding the opening from the perimeter and inside the paint.
On defense, each one is locked in on their defensive mindset, and that makes it a low-scoring duel.
At this point, one thing is sure - one is to kill another in a Friday thriller. (SB)
