Game 1 — Ginebra 96, Bay Area 81.

Game Wednesday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:45 p.m. — Bay Area vs. Ginebra

AFTER drawing first blood with a convincing 96-81 victory in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals on Christmas Day, Barangay Ginebra is bracing for a fightback from the stunned Bay Area Dragons in Wednesday’s pivotal Game 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings and coach Tim Cone know the 5:45 p.m. encounter with the Dragons could very well decide the complexion of the best-of-seven finals.

Experts said the benefit of adjustment now falls on Bay Area and Coach Brian Goorjian pointed out rebounding and poor shooting led to the Dragons’ downfall at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“It’s a series, and the ball comes over to our court. Everybody (saw) what happened tonight. They dominated us, they dominated us in the regular season (eliminations). So the adjustment comes to us. What are we gonna do,” said the 69-year Goorjian.

Last Sunday, the Dragons were beaten off the boards by the Kings, 58-35.

Ginebra import Justin Brownlee, Fil-German Christian Standhardinger, and Jamie Malonzo combined for 33 rebounds against Andrew Nicholson;s 12 rebounds for Bay Area.

Goorjian also rued Bay Area’s dismal 38 percent shooting from the floor (30-of-78), compared to Ginebra high 50 percent ( 38-of-76).

“Things are going to regress, but talk (is) cheap. We got to get those things done. They’re deep they’re athletic, and they’re long,” said Goorjian.

“The ball is on our court, so we’ve got to be better for the second game. We got pretty well manhandled tonight.”

“A Christmas Day game is extra special, and our guys treated it that way,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after the Gin Kings’ second win over the Dragons in this import-flavored conference.

Cone noted the good games from his starting five of Brownlee, Standhardinger, LA Tenorio, Scotti eThompson and Malonzo.

Brownlee finished 28 points and 13 rebounds, Standhardinger added 16 points and 10 rebounds, Tenorio had a conference-high 22 points on top of three assists, three steals and two rebounds,

Thompson had 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal and Malonzo had three points and 10 rebounds.

Cone claimed the team also got lucky with Bay Area gunner Hayden Blankley going 0-of-9 from deep in the series opener.