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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PBA Finals: With power restored, Bolts go for back-to-back win

PBA Finals: With power restored, Bolts go for back-to-back win

Published Jan 11, 2020 12:00 am
By Jonas Terrado Game Sunday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 6:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Meralco (Series tied 1-1) Series Summary Game 1: Ginebra 91, Meralco 87 Game 2: Meralco 104, Ginebra 102 Meralco is hoping to give Allen Durham better scoring opportunities and another productive showing from the locals as it seeks a 2-1 lead over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals returns to the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Meralco's Allen Durham, left, gestures after sinking a three-pointer against Ginebra's Greg Slaughter in Game 2 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, Jan. 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Meralco's Allen Durham, left, gestures after sinking a three-pointer against Ginebra's Greg Slaughter in Game 2 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, Jan. 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) The Bolts are determined to capitalize on their massive win in Lucena City two nights ago and gain the series edge in the match set at 6:30 p.m. For that to happen, coach Norman Black will try to map out a strategy that will benefit his durable import and the likes Baser Amer, Raymond Almazan, Chris Newsome and the bench that came out of nowhere to play big roles in the 104-102 triumph. Meralco's Baser Amer, right, and Cliff Hodge celebrate during Game 2 of PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Meralco's Baser Amer, right, and Cliff Hodge celebrate during Game 2 of PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) “(Ginebra) went to a box-and-one against (Durham) to try and shut him down. They put one guy to just shadow him everywhere he went,” said Black. “It’s a little bit more difficult for him but he’s been carrying us the entire conference, so it’s good that his teammates stepped up and really helped him out,” added Black. Ginebra's LA Tenorio, right, tries to drive past Meralco's Baser Amer during Game 2 of PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Ginebra's LA Tenorio, right, tries to drive past Meralco's Baser Amer during Game 2 of PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Ginebra's Justin Brownlee shoots in front of Meralco's Allen Durham in Game 2 of PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Ginebra's Justin Brownlee shoots in front of Meralco's Allen Durham in Game 2 of PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Black is anticipating the same defense to be applied on Durham, who still finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds and six assists. Ginebra coach Tim Cone, however, mentioned that his team can’t rely on such scheme he described as “gimmick defense” in order to win the series. While Cone acknowledged his team’s efforts in erasing a 17-point halftime deficit, there’s still more to be improved moving forward. “We battled back, which I’m proud of, but that’s not going to be enough for this series,” Cone said. “Being proud of the guys is not going to win the series for us. We got to do more.” As evident in the first two games, the play of the locals will be more of a deciding factor than how Durham and Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee can deliver. Meralco got an unlikely lift from reserves John Pinto and Nico Salva before chief playmaker Baser Amer, who struggled in Game 1, came up with big shots entering the homestretch to cap off the win highlighted by 16 treys. Ginebra, on the other hand, will now need to get more production outside of Brownlee right from the start, particularly from LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar. Ginebra's LA Tenorio and Meralco's Cliff Hodge were left lying on the floor during Game 2 of PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio) Ginebra's LA Tenorio and Meralco's Cliff Hodge were left lying on the floor during Game 2 of PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, January 10, 2020. (MB Photo / Rio Deluvio)
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