By REYNALD MAGALLON
Barangay Ginebra all have the momentum and inspiration in the world heading into what could be the series turning point in Game 5 but head coach Tim Cone is not allowing his ward to let their guards down.
Not when the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals is now down to a virtual best-of-three affair and with Justin Brownlee, despite a stellar showing in Game 4, remaining a game-time decision.
“Can’t all be Justin (Brownlee) and Scottie (Thompson),” stressed Cone as the Kings hope to sustain the all-around play in Game 4 that saw Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo and Stephen Holt deliver impressive performances to back up their resident import who was playing banged up.
“It’s got to be more. Those performances are crucial,” he added, looking forward to another dramatic showdown against the TNT Tropang Giga at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 23.
Malonzo was on target from deep finishing with 24 points – including a tough step back jumper over the outstretched arm of his defender to take the fight out of the Tropang Giga.
Brownlee, meanwhile, hardly looked like someone nursing a dislocated thumb as he fired 23 points – 16 of which came in the opening frame seemingly getting the hang of having a heavily taped shooting hand.
“I wanted to be aggressive. I wanted to continue trying to play like I’ve been playing,” he said. “I definitely had doubts as far as the tape. It’s a different feel.”
“But Thursday and before the game, I think I got the hang of it. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I kind of got a good feel for it now.”
The Kings, though, are expecting a huge retaliation from the Tropa in Game 5 especially after Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s coronation as the Best Import was once again jinxed by the 78-95 defeat – the most lopsided outcome so far in the series.
Hollis-Jefferson was limited to just 14 points while RR Pogoy, after firing 16 in the first half, went ice cold in the last two quarters and never scored anymore.
TNT also found no answer to a backbreaking 17-2 finishing kick from Ginebra inside the last five minutes of the game – something that head coach Chot Reyes will surely be looking into ahead of the pivotal Game 5.
