Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
6:15 p.m. – Awards ceremony
6:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs Meralco
Veteran playmaker LA Tenorio has blamed poor defense for Barangay Ginebra’s defeat to Meralco Friday in the opener of their best-of-seven title series in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Coliseum.
“It’s a wake-up call for us,” said Tenorio, a day after the Kings took a 114-109 overtime defeat.
Tenorio said Meralco’s 114 points was too much and hinted that the Kings may have underestimated the Bolts.
“Hindi dapat ganun. Kailangan next game we have to tighten up on defense, sabi nga namin, they’re (Bolts) here for a reason, tinalo nga nila yung No. 1 team (TNT),” he said. “Yun lang naman ang hinihiling niya sa amin, to play defense especially down the stretch, kailangan we really need to get stops, to get the rebounds, and the loose balls.”
The Kings try to draw level with the Bolts tonight in Game 2 at the same venue.
Meralco coach Norman Black, who is gunning for his 12th PBA title, said he expects a tougher match.
“It’s always good to win the first game of a best-of-seven series, to get off to a good start,” said Black. “All we got to do right now is go back to the drawing board, watch the tape, and get ready for Game 2 and try to get a 2-nothing lead.”
Black is again counting on a total team effort against Ginebra.
Former Most Valuable Player Jimmy Alapag made two three-point shots to tie the all-time record of the legendary Allan Caidic last Friday.
Alapag, however, said he would not be distracted in helping his team secure a 2-0 lead in the series.
