Finals between Gin Kings and Bolts start now!
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Barangay Ginebra will have their offensive kill again as Meralco reaffirms their strong defense.
The Gin Kings and Bolts begin their best-of-seven championship series tonight at 7 pm in Game One of the PBA Governor’s Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This is the third time in the last four season-ending conferences that Ginebra and Meralco will compete for the crown.
The Gin Kings replaced the Bolts in Game Six in 2016 and fled in Game Seven in 2017.
“It's going to come down to playing good basketball. I think that's what both coaches are trying to teach, ”Ginebra coach Tim Cone told Meralco's mentor Norman Black. "And they've been the best defensive team this conference by far, and the best rebounding team this conference."
62-year-old Cone, a two-time PBA Grand Slam champion, is seeking his 22nd crown.
The Gin Kings will once again rely on resident import Justin Brownlee, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Scottie Thompson, Jeff Chan and newcomer Stanley Pringle.
The Bolts will feature two-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham, Chris Newsome, Baser Amer, Cliff Hodge and freshmen 6-foot-8 Raymond Alamazan and rookie Bong Quinto.
“I talked about our defense all the time, but Ginebra is the leading shooting team in the league and they lead the league in assists. So our defense will be shown and tested, ”said 62-year-old Black, a one-time PBA Grand Slam titlist, in anticipation of his 12th championship.
Pringle, Almazan, Maliksi and Quinto were not in their line-ups when Ginebra and Meralco competed in two Governor's Cup PBA Finals.
“I'm gonna give everything I have. They know that, my teammates know that. We're gonna be ready to play, ”said Pringle, acquired by the Gin Kings from NorthPort Batang Pier in place of Kevin Ferrer, Sol Mercado and Jervy Cruz.
Almazan, another diehard fan of Ginebra, has been bitten by Meralco since Rain or Shine.
Due to the desire for the crown, the Gin Kings and Bolts will likely continue in Game Seven as it did in 2017 claimed by Cone's troops.
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