PBA chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT and Alfrancis Chua of Barangay Ginebra expect a great battle for the Season 49 Commissioner's Cup crown.
"If you take a look at it, we won some games against them but today the Ginebra team is different. And it will be a different team in the finals. But having said that we will also be a different team in the finals," Vargas said during Monday's pre-finals press con.
"They will do their best in the finals, we will also do our best in the finals. And we owe it not only to people who watch the finals and probably because of that, this may be the best finals that will ever happen in the PBA," he added.
Vargas claimed the Tropang Giga are at a disadvantage in the best-of-seven championship series without injured veteran Jayson Castro. In contrast, he noted that the Gin Kings have added fit-again Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray and mid-season signing Troy Rosario since their last title duel.
Chua though begged to differ, citing TNT's experienced crew led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana.
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"Definitely, we're coming into this conference as underdogs. Man for man, no Jayson, improved chemistry of Ginebra. It's actually a new team and it will be a big challenge we will face," said Vargas.
"First of all, they're not underdogs," countered Chua. "I think, experience wise, mas may experience sila, mas mga beterano sila. Coaching, it's nice to watch both of them, Coach Chot (Reyes of TNT) and Coach Tim (Cone of Ginebra)," he added.
The two kick off their race-to-four championship waltz on Friday at the MOA Arena with the Tropang Giga seeking to make it 3-of-3 after beating the Gin Kings in six games in the last two editions of the Governors' Cup finals.
"It's going to be a great series," said the PBA chairman. "It's going to be tougher on our end to be able to play at the level that Ginebra will play. And I'm sure they will play at the highest level that they will play. So expect a great series. Expect a great series. Manood kayo." (OL)
