Nov 24, 2020

It's closeout or grind-out as Kings, Bolts resume showdown

SMART Clark Giga City - It's crunch time, with the Kings going for closeout and the Bolts fighting for extension of the virtual Last Two Minutes of their bubble stay as Barangay Ginebra and Meralco clash in Game Four of their side of the PBA Philippine Cup Final Four at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Center Wednesday.

Tip-off is at 3:45 p.m.

The Kings are taking the game with a lot of caution, wary of what a hungry foe can do. But they're definitely bent to march forward and claim a shot at the best Christmas they could get in pandemic period.

For the Bolts, it's about repelling enemy charge - nothing less - and setting a winner-take-all.

"It's going to be really hard to close them out," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Sponsored content:
"They got a great coach over there who's also been through these kinds of wars and they got a young, hungry core that's listening to him," Cone added.

"Simply put, we're in a must-win situation," said Black. "We must play better on both ends of the court and we must bring a high energy level."

Stanley Pringle, a big factor for Ginebra, said the job is not done and the key is to execute the well-drawn game plan of their coaches.

The flamboyant Fil-Am guard bounced back strong from a Game Two flop, coming through with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Kings closed in on the Last Dance with a 91-84 triumph Sunday.

But both teams are thinking the two-day breather - a big luxury in the tough bubble grind - can spell a difference in the next game.

Sponsored content:
From a 79-96 blowout loss in Game One, the Bolts managed to spring back with a 95-77 rout in Game Two.

They eye the same Wednesday, hoping to clamp down on the Kings, get the rebounds and make their shots to force a 2-2 standoff.

They know, though, that it's easier said than done against the Kings, thrice their conquerors in three title showdowns in the Governors' Cup.

And the Kings are determined to move forward in a bid to get a chance at extending their reign beyond the Governors' Cup. (SB)