On cusp of PBA title, Ginebra stresses need to close out San Miguel in ‘do-or-die’ Game 6

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Game 5 finally saw the end of a strange trend that had the first four games of the finals series decided by 25 points or more.

The pivotal Game 5 also marked Barangay Ginebra’s second straight win in the series for a 3-2 lead against San Miguel Beer, and LA Tenorio and Justin Brownlee have nothing else in mind but to finish the series in six.

“We have a do-or-die game again on Wednesday, and that’s what our mindset should be against San Miguel, we can’t give them the chance of a Game 7,” said Tenorio in Filipino Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“San Miguel is a difficult opponent to have so if we have a chance to finish everything on Wednesday then we have to do it,” added Tenorio, who had 15 points and five assists in Game 5.

Two straight wins aren’t that much to count but in a series that could go either way, back-to-back wins are a difference-maker especially for a team, who dropped two consecutive games earlier in the title duel.

Brownlee said they have to “embrace the momentum” they’re in and do everything they can to prevent a winner-take-all Game 7.

“You got to take the momentum, it’s always momentum when you win you know and I guess you’re doing things right because you’re not losing,” said Brownlee, who finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four blocks.

“You can’t be satisfied, though, so you have to come out knowing that we got to play better if we want to beat this team. Game 7s can go either way, you can play bad or you can play great. We don’t want to gamble with that.”

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone summed it up perfectly.

“We don’t want to go to a Game 7 with San Miguel. That team’s just too good and too explosive, and can put up 140 points in any given night,” said Cone, who is eyeing his 21st title.