The Ginebra Gin Kings are hopeful that the third time would be the charm in their latest PBA Finals showdown with the TNT Tropang Giga.
Ginebra has yet to win a PBA Finals series against TNT in two tries.
But the Gin Kings have a better chance of doing that when the two teams collide in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Game 1 is set on Friday, March 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
One Sports delves into the three keys that could help Ginebra get over the hump.
[RELATED STORY: PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals Guide: Schedule, where to watch, stories]
Depth
Ginebra now has what it lacked the last time the two teams faced in the Last Dance.
Even TNT coach Chot Reyes acknowledged the Gin Kings' depth will be a headache for the Tropang Giga.
Ginebra, after all, has now plugged in a tireless power forward in Troy Rosario and has welcomed back Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray.
[RELATED STORY: Chot Reyes admits Ginebra’s Rosario, Malonzo will make job difficult for TNT in PBA Finals]
Justin Brownlee
Justin Brownlee was not exactly as stellar in the Governors’ Cup Finals against TNT four months ago.
Against counterpart Rondae Hollie-Jefferson and TNT’s airtight defense, the beloved import averaged 19.67 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 blocks.
Brownlee needs to do more and be more for the Gin Kings in their rematch with the Tropang Giga.
Exploit Jayson Castro’s absence
Though Jayson Castro is already in the twilight of his career, he is still pretty much a threat to any team in the league.
Castro is a stabilizer, someone the Tropang Giga can defer to when nothing else is working. And he delivers each time.
[RELATED STORY: Chot admits Castro's leadership, maturity will be missed in TNT's Finals rematch vs Ginebra]
But Castro suffered an unfortunate right knee injury in the Tropang Giga's semifinal series against Rain or Shine.
It’s not overstating that this increases Ginebra’s chance to break through against TNT in the Finals this time.