October 06, 2017

Racela: We'll try to find ways to win again in Game 3

TNT found ways to counter Ginebra and level their PBA Governors Cup semi-final series at one game apiece.

The burden is now on the Kings to do their own adjustments and regain momentum from the equally-determined KaTropa in Game 3 Friday night of their best-of-five series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"I know coach Tim (Cone) will get something from his bag of tricks," said TNT coach Nash Racela. "I don't know what it is, but we will just try our best again to prepare and counter."

The KaTropa had already done that, bouncing back from a 94-121 thrashing in the opener with a cruising 103-96 triumph last Wednesday.

What makes the win more impressive is the fact TNT fashioned it despite only one day of tinkering with their game plan.

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Racela said the big bounce-back was all founded on his players' mindset.

"It wasn't easy, especially after having lost by (almost) 30 points the last game. It was really hard. We only had one day to prepare," he said.

"But our players really focused the last 48 hours. That's why the adjustments were a lot easier to execute tonight, because they were really active."

Even Glen Rice Jr. getting into foul trouble early and forced his benching for 15 playing minutes spanning the two middle quarters proved to be a blessing in disguise, according to Racela.

"Well, it backfired because he was able to rest and he was able to come out strong in the fourth," offered Racela.

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"It was a good thing the other guys were able to hold the fort during the third quarter," added Racela. "That's what a team is all about, (other) guys stepping up, stepping forward."

One thing Racea expects Ginebra to do is to fine-tune its post offense centered on Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and Joe Devance.

"I think the whole series, we'll see Ginebra going inside, especially having that size advantage against us," said Racela. "We'll just keep on finding ways."