The return of Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray, as well as the acquisition of Troy Rosario put Ginebra in a favorable position against TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone responded in jest when asked about what will be their x-factor in the upcoming PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT.
“Can we kill you first? I’m not sure we can tell you that,” joked Cone during the Finals press conference on Monday, March 10.
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Cone then proceeded to state the obvious.
“Well, I think we're coming into this series with a lot more depth than we had in the last time we played them,” coach Tim said.
True enough, unlike the last time they faced TNT in the Governors’ Cup Finals, the Gin Kings now parade a pair of healthy wingers in Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray.
Apart from that, Ginebra also acquired Troy Rosario in free agency before the mid-season tournament unfurled.
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A reinforced roster will certainly be Ginebra's biggest advantage coming into this revenge series against the Tropang Giga, who in turn will now miss the services of Finals MVP Jayson Castro due to a right knee injury.
“And I think that's going to be a big factor for us,” said Cone. “Just the idea that we have a little bit more depth and length than we had in the last series we played.”
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Whether or not that will actually work wonders for Ginebra remains to be seen, but expect the Gin Kings to have a different Finals look as the two teams hit the ground running in Game 1 set for Friday, March 14.
The match will tip off at 7:30 p.m. from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.