MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga looks to pounce on the opportunity to dethrone Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in Game 6 of the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga moved on the cusp of championship after a 104-95 victory over the Gin Kings in Game 5 on Wednesday night as they took a 3-2 series lead in the race-to-four finale.
Helping further in the Tropang Giga’s victory was the exit of Gin Kings resident import Justin Brownlee, who suffered a severe food poisoning from the food he ate for lunch on Wednesday.
TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa, however, remains wary of the Gin Kings, even though there is a huge possibility that Brownlee is not 100 percent if he will suit up in the important game tonight.
“We have nothing to lose ‘yan ang mindset namin,” Lastimosa said. “It just so happened that my players have done a great job and we won Game 5 and we have a chance to grab it (the championship in Game 6).”
“We will try to grab it but even if we have the series lead, hindi kami kampante kasi Barangay Ginebra ang kalaban,” he added. “I also believe that Justin will play in Game 6, he is a warrior.”
Tropang Giga reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, for his part, also wants to end the series in six games and he also hopes that Brownlee will be available to play for the Gin Kings.
“I’m not speaking on the basketball side. I just want to feel better, and as a human I wish no food poisoning of no one. Again I love his (Brownlee) game and I found him to be a phenomenal person,” Hollis-Jefferson said.
“If he can play the next game, let’s do it. If not, at the end of the day basketball is something that brings a lot of people together, but it’s not what keeps you together,” he added. “At the end of the day it’s about yourself, it’s about taking care of yourself.”
If ever, this will be the Tropang Giga’s first PBA championship since winning the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup championship bubble in five games against Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots./PN
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