By Jonas Terrado
Game Today
(Ynares Center, Antipolo City)
7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Ginebra
(Magnolia leads series 2-1)
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tries to fashion out another victory over Magnolia a rubber match tonight when the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals returns to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City for the fourth game of their best-of-five series.
Ginebra is expected to gather strength from Wednesday’s thrilling 107-103 victory as it aims to draw level over the Hotshots in the match set at 7 p.m.
But coach Tim Cone said their performance in Game 3, which saw the Kings overcome an 18-point deficit and a late rally by Magnolia, won’t be enough if Ginebra wants to keep its title hopes alive in the tournament.
“I just hope our guys don’t rest on their laurels that they’re able to pull out one game,” said Cone. “We got to keep moving forward.
“And like we said, they beat us twice, we feel we can beat them twice and then we’re looking to jump ball in Game 5 and go from there. That’s the kind of our attitude at this point,” he added.
Surviving the trip in the Pilgrimage City will reward Ginebra a decisive fifth game on Sunday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
Heading south is what Magnolia seeks to avoid, knowing that giving Ginebra another opportunity could make its finals dream a far-fetched reality.
“I think we need to go through the eye of the needle,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, who was ejected with 5:08 left in Game 3 for throwing the ball at an official.
“That what we’ve been talking before that it is not an easy series. We had a chance to close it out in Game 3 but Ginebra worked really hard to get a deserved win.”
Crucial for Ginebra will be the play of its locals after Justin Brownlee was forced to carry the load until LA Tenorio, Joe Devance and Scottie Thompson made their presence in the second half.
Consistency is Magnolia’s main goal, with import Romeo Travis eager to bounce back from a career-low 12 points and Paul Lee looking to atone for his two miscues in the dying seconds.
Mark Barroca had a strong showing in Game 3, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the second quarter when Magnolia appeared to have pulled away until Ginebra made its run.
