June 10, 2017

'Interesting matchup' between Kings, KaTropa gets underway

BARANGAY Ginebra would try to use its quickness and TNT KaTropa its newfound inside strength when they start their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinal series Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

At least that's what the protagonists' coaches themselves bared when the best-of-five duel was sealed.

"The TNT-Meralco series was an epic battle, but it presents a very interesting matchup for us," said Kings coach Tim Cone, referring to the quarterfinals duel that ended with the KaTropa closing it out via a 104-96 overtime win last Friday.

"We're going to have to find ways to battle their in-and-out game with their massive import. They, of course, will have to find ways to stop our quickness," added Cone.
"Like I said, very interesting indeed."

Cone has specifically singled out TNT import Josh Smith, who has been huge in the five games he has played since coming in to replace the more prolific but slimmer Donte Greene.
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At 6-9 1/2 and more than 300 lbs, Smith has been averaging 22.8 points and 14 rebounds, capped by a 31-27 game last Friday. He also brings tons of inside intimidation.

KaTropa coach Nash Racela admitted Smith was taken in precisely in anticipation of going up against one of the San Miguel Corp. teams in the playoffs.

"That's basically the reason why we decided to change, because with our previous import, we lost against two San Miguel teams," said Racela, referring to his team's 103-112 and 97-107 defeats to Ginebra and Star in the eliminations.

In-between those games TNT won over San Miguel Beer 112-103, but the Beermen played minus June Mar Fajardo then.

"So we decided we probably need a different kind of import," explained Racela. "That's why we brought in Joshua Smith."
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One thing that could favor Ginebra is the fact it needed just one game to dispose off GlobalPort in their quarterfinal pairing last Tuesday while TNT got taken to the full route and even played back-to-back OT games in its series with Meralco.

"Of course it is an advantage, (Ginebra) having had a couple days off. Kami naman we were stretched again today. Back-to-back overtime games kaya talagang na-stretch mga players," noted Racela.

"But we don't really have a choice," added Racela. "Still we feel better that we're playing Sunday than resting."

How Justin Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar and Joe Devance could muster the strength and moves to counter Smith, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo and Troy Rosario should be one sidelight.

The backcourt duels featuring TNT's Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy and RR Garcia against their Ginebra counterparts in LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson and Sol Mercado should also garner their fair share of the limelight.

Racela simply hopes the less than 48 hours of preparations his KaTropa had would enable them to keep pace with the Kings.

"We're really hopeful na it will be different pagdating sa Ginebra series," he stated.