Troy Rosario and the rest of the Ginebra Gin Kings will need to find a way against the TNT Tropang Giga in case Justin Brownlee skips Game 4 of the PBA Finals.
Justin Brownlee's absence left a gaping hole for Ginebra in Game 3, but his teammate, Troy Rosario, saw how the Gin Kings stepped up to fill in the import's shoes.
As Brownlee left the court in the third quarter after incurring a dislocated thumb, Rosario and his teammates had this reminder for each other: next man up.
[RELATED STORY: Justin Brownlee ‘doubtful’ for Game 4 of PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, says Tim Cone]
"Malaking setback 'yon sa amin sa game noong nawala si justin kasi yung No. 1 option namin, nawala. During the game, sabi nga naming mga nasa loob, next man up. Down 'yong isang kasama namin [kaya] lahat kailangang mag-step up," said Rosario.
Ginebra played inspired after that as they rallied behind their hurt comrade to keep in step with TNT, only to fall short, 85-87, for a 1-2 disadvantage in the best-of-seven series last Wednesday, March 19.
“Nakita naming kaya talaga. Breaks of the game na lang. 'Yong last shot ni Rey (Nambatac of Tropang Giga), coming off ilang rebounds. Hindi lang talaga namin na-secure ang pinakaimportanteng rebounds,” said Rosario.
Rosario was referring to TNT's four consecutive offensive rebounds that led to a booming left-corner triple for eventual Player of the Game Rey Nambatac.
[RELATED STORY: Nambatac steps up for TNT: 'Importante 'yong decision-making ko lalo't wala si Kuya Jayson']
That shot with 30.1 ticks left to play buried the Gin Kings for good.
Ginebra Gin King Troy Rosario guards Calvin Oftana of the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
“Next game, sana makuha namin ang mga ganoong chances. Kasi 'pag mga ganoong scoring, talagang may chance kami. Kita naman natin noong second game. Talagang grind-out defense ang kailangan namin,” he said.
“Kahit ngayon naman, maganda ang depensa namin. Hindi lang talaga kami nakapag-execute noong kinakailangan.”
Game 4 is set on Friday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.