Ginebra bungled its chance in Game Six and would now tangle with Meralco for the last time in a sudden death on Friday, May 31.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone did not say much when he made his way out of the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, May 29, following an 81-86 loss to Meralco in Game Six of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Cone was visibly frustrated after the Gin Kings failed to close out the race-to-four series against the Bolts, no thanks to the fourth quarter heroics of Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome.
“Best two words in sports: Game Seven. We’ll see,” Cone told reporters while walking out of the historic playing venue in Cubao.
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Ginebra and Meralco dispute the last finals berth when they collide in Game Seven at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas on Friday, May 31.
If history is any indication, the Gin Kings are on track to emerge victorious after winning all but one of their last seven playoff encounters with their modern-day rival.
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Cone has also not lost in five Game Sevens, including the first two with then San Mig Coffee, in more than a decade, according to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
But the Bolts are adamant on changing the narrative from now on.
“Now, it’s a privilege for us. We have to go out there and go get it. Buo ang loob namin dito sa mga tao. Super excited kami to be there in Batangas,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
Coach Luigi Trillo during Meralco and Ginebra's Game Five semifinal duel, with Gin Kings coach Tim Cone and veteran LA Tenorio behind him | File photo (c) PBA
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The Bolts, though, have played the Gin Kings long enough to know that their final semis faceoff would be nowhere near easy.
“Sana kami naman. It’s good for the league. I think we’ve earned it. We have a lot of respect for Ginebra and what they do. And we know it’s going to be hard,” Trillo said.