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PBA Commissioner’s Cup finalists TNT and Barangay Ginebra return to action, facing separate opponents in a Philippine Cup doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today. They’re the last two teams to break in since the conference began last April 4.
TNT takes on NLEX in the first game while Ginebra faces Terrafirma in the nightcap. Coach Chot Reyes’ Tropang 5G is out to make history as a championship this conference will complete a rare Grand Slam. Ginebra hasn’t won a title since the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup. Coach Tim Cone took Ginebra to three Finals in the last five conferences but ended up short, losing each series to TNT. Cone is a two-time Grand Slammer and Reyes hopes to join the elite circle of three-conference winners whose other members are Baby Dalupan in 1976, Tommy Manotoc in 1983 and Norman Black in 1989. Cone bagged his in 1996 and 2013-14.
NLEX is 1-1 after losing a 98-89 decision to San Miguel Beer and beating Rain or Shine, 109-95. Coach Jong Uichico’s squad leads the league in three point accuracy at .367 and is No. 2 in least turnovers at 15 a game. Robert Bolick is averaging 17.5 points and 10 assists to pace the Road Warriors with Javee Mocon, Xyrus Torres and Tony Semerad posting major numbers, too.
Ginebra is coming off back-to-back Finals setbacks and the battlecry is to go all the way this time. Ginebra’s average age is 32.2 years compared to Terrafirma’s 28.7. Experience is the best teacher and Ginebra will use it to neutralize the Dyip’s youth. Troy Rosario is expected to play a big role in Ginebra’s bid. Scottie Thompson, newly minted as one of the PBA’s 50 Greatest, will rally the troops with Gilas teammates Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo.
For the Dyip whose record is 1-2, Louie Sangalang has been a stat stuffer. Terrafirma will also rely on veterans Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo to keep the boat afloat but CJ Catapusan, Kevin Ferrer, Mark Nonoy and Aljun Melecio must do their share to give Ginebra a fight. It’ll be interesting to find out how the previous finalists perform in their first taste of hostilities this conference.
