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CAN Barangay Ginebra finally quench its eight-year championship thirst?
That will be answered tonight when the Gin Kings try to finish off Meralco as they shoot for the championship in the best-of-seven finals series of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
The Gin Kings can end their long dry spell if they clinch the crown against the Bolts in Game 6 tonight at 7 p.m. at an expected jampacked Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It took eight long years before Ginebra got to this point where it’s a win away from claiming an elusive championship.
Gin Kings coach Tim Cone certainly wants the balloons to fall from the rafters today.
“We have to grab the opportunity that we have now. It’s going to be a tough game for us but we need to get this one,” said Cone. “What we need to do is continue our improved defense and stay focused to be able to achieve our goal.”
The legion of Ginebra fans have waited for a long time for their team to have a chance at winning a championship and that time has come.
It’s now up to the popular team to satisfy the championship craving of their millions of fans.
After trailing 1-2 after the first three games, Barangay Ginebra kept its poise and tightened its defense to take the next two games, Games 4 and 5, and eventually take the driver’s seat in the series.
The entire Ginebra core has stepped up the past two games and needs to put on one more solid showing for the Gin Kings to finally gain glory.
Meralco coach Norman Black remains optimistic as he feels that despite the series deficit, his team is still very much in it.
“The good thing about a seven-game series is that it takes four wins to take it. It’s not yet over,” said Black. “We still have a chance and we’ll keep on fighting.”
The Bolts are of course looking to survive and force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Friday.
Best Import of the Conference Allen Durham, who was limited to only 20 points in Game 5, needs to regain his touch to be able to help Meralco stay alive.
© MST SPORTS
