SIZZLING on a four-game romp in post-elims play, the Barangay Ginebra Kings are determined to keep on going, eyeing a semis sweep of NLEX for a shot at a fourth PBA Governors' Cup crown in five years.
Two-zero up and all pumped-up in the best-of-five semis series, the Kings go for the jugular in their 6:30 p.m. tiff with the beleaguered Road Warriors Sunday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
But coach Tim Cone anticipates a tough NLEX resistance.
"Closeout games are always hard because there's desperation on the other side of the floor," said Cone, also not discounting the chance of any team to fight back from a 0-2 down.
"I've been in that situation where we're down 0-2, and we had a twice-to-beat disadvantage against TNT in the quarterfinals. So we know it's possible," Cone pointed out.
"With Yeng's (Guiao) team, it almost seems probable. I mean, there's always a team that can come back from that deficit, no doubt. So we just take Sunday (Game 3) as a game we prepare for and try to meet their intensity as we go," he added.
The Gin Kings had their great preparation for Game Two which they took at 104-94 in the absence of Japeth Aguilar.
The 6-foot-9 center/forward remains doubtful with a calf strain but the Kings nonetheless are the favored side with Cone having lethal forces in Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger and LA Tenorio to lead the players at his disposal.
But for sure, the Road Warriors are not about to just roll over and die.
"We're trying to get our first win. If we can get our first win, maybe the complexion of the series is going to change," said Guiao, needing to beat Ginebra three in a row to salvage a finals entry.
"We're not giving it up. Hindi naman namin ibibigay ng ganun na lang," added Guiao, hinting at tougher fight in Game Three.
In both Game One and Game Two, the Road Warriors got off to a good start, and built a double-digit lead but couldn't finish the job.
They went down to a 95-86 defeat in the series opener. (SB)(PBA)
(Photo credits to: PBA)