Japeth Aguilar Japeth Aguilar of Ginebra in action. PBA photo

PBA: Kings or Dragons?

December 28, 2022 Robert Andaya 466 views

The result:

Game 1 — Ginebra 96, Bay Area 81.

CAN Barangay Ginebra make it 2-0 against Bay Area and head into 2023 with a commanding lead in their best-of-seven title series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum?

Or will the Dragons find the right counter moves and equalize the series in the last game of the year in the action-filled, import-flavored conference

The answers wll be known today in Game 2, with the Kings looking to repeat their ego-boosting 96-81 victory before a crowd of over 18,252 in the series opener on Christmas Day, and the Dragons hoping to avoid falling into a precarious 0-2 deficit.

“I thought we came out hard, and fast and furious,”aid Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who is looking to win his 25th PBA championship from 1989 to present.

Cone’s veteran playmaker, LA Tenorio, said defense wins championship and vowed to do it again in Game 2 and for the rest of the series.

“Siguradong mas mahirap ang Game 2,” said Tenorio, who finished with a conference high 22 points on 9-of-18 field goal shooting on top of three assists, three steals and two rebounds in presiding over Ginebra’s impressive victory.
Bay Area coach Brian Goorjian said his team needs to make the necessary adjustments.

“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,” explained Goorjian.

“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.”

The 69-year-old Goorjian claimed rebounding and poor shooting led to the Dragons’ downfall.

He said the Dragons were beaten off the boards by the Kings, 58-35,

They also converted only 38 percent from the floor (30-of-78).

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