BY REYNALD MAGALLON
As great as his team’s offensive showing in Game 1, TNT head coach Chot Reyes is refusing to get too far ahead.
Instead, the veteran mentor is expecting a huge fightback from Barangay Ginebra in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday, March 16.
While the Tropang Giga came away with a masterful 95-89 performance in the series opener, Reyes urged his wards to keep the same level of intensity and effort in the clash that tips off at 7:30 p.m.
“Defense is really, first of all, we have a scheme, we have a game plan. But in the end, no matter what game plan we draw up, if the guys aren't executing and putting in the effort, it's going to not mean anything. So I thought that was important,” he added.
While TNT came out with the hot hands in Game 1 with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and RR Pogoy providing the scoring punch, Reyes is under no impression that such would always be the case in the series.
And when the time comes when their offense struggles, Reyes wants the Tropang Giga to be ready to bank on their defense.
“We still gave up 16 second chance points, and I think that's way too many for us. But we were able, with our defense, to keep their shooting percentage to a minimal level. So I wish I could say more, but it's just really the effort of the guys,” he added.
The Kings, though, are surely raring to erase the bitter taste of the defeat especially that aside from Justin Brownlee who poured 28 points, the team struggled on both ends of the floor in the series opener
Hollis-Jefferson toyed around the Kings defense and put up his usual impressive numbers of 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.
Of course, guys like Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, and even veterans Poy Erram and Kelly Williams are also ready to bring their A-games to try and give TNT a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos along with Stephen Holt, Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario, on the other hand, hope to make their presence felt for Kings who are looking to avoid the same series hole which they fell into in the last conference finals.
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