PBA: Ginebra, Meralco kick off title duel

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MANILA, Philippines-Barangay Ginebra and Meralco jockey for headstart when the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals gets going Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

An early series lead has hardly had any significant effect throughout this one-sided rivalry, but the Gin Kings will have to make this time an exemption as they may enter the 6 p.m. contest two weapons short.

Japeth Aguilar remains a game-time decision for the crowd darlings, who have been missing spitfire guard Stanley Pringle, who was long been shut down for the season.

“Their presence will definitely be missed,” said resident import Justin Brownlee. “But luckily, though, with coach Tim Cone, we have other guys that’s been stepping up, playing, and helping out in those roles.

“That’s what coach Tim preaches a lot to the guys. If a man goes down, make sure the next man is ready—or the next men are ready, because of course, it’s not going to take just one guy. It’s going to be multiple guys coming in and giving us that lift that Stanley or Japeth used to give us.”

Also uncertain for the series opener is Meralco playmaker Chris Banchero, who incurred a bevy of injuries throughout the semifinal series versus Magnolia.

But if there’s something that the Bolts could take comfort in ahead of the clash, it’s the fact that they did well playing a mighty Hotshots side without the Filipino-Italian playmaker.

Still, coach Norman Black doesn’t discount the fact that health will have a massive impact in this finalé. After all, he was also speaking from experience. Meralco lost Raymond Almazan in Game 3 of their 2019 trophy battle, a development he considers as the turning point of that series.

“For me, some of the keys going forward is we just want to stay healthy,” he said.

“We had a little bit of bad luck last time. If we can just stay healthy, motivated and focused, I think we have a good chance of winning,” he added.

Meralco’s balanced attack has been integral to the team’s success these playoffs. And fans should expect anything less from the Bolts who are looking to finally solve the Gin Kings puzzle that has hounded them for years.

Team governor Al Panlilio perhaps said it best: “A bishop cannot checkmate the king, right? So I think we need to have a queen and rook to checkmate the king.”

“That’s our challenge as Meralco. We want to make it competitive, and hopefully win the series,“ he added.

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