Ginebra vows to avenge loss to B-Meg

MANILA — Revenge is the name of the game for Ginebra as it faces B-Meg Llamados today in a do-or-die match to dispute the second finals berth in the 37th PBA Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

This will be the second straight conference Ginebra will be meeting B-Meg in a knockout battle, the first was in the best-of-five semifinal series of the recent Commissioner’s Cup won by the Llamados, 3-1.

B-Meg Llamados, which will collide against the Kings at 6:45, are favored to prevail because they swept the Kings in their two meetings in the conference. The Llamados won the first (96-88) last May 27 and the second, 82-70, on Sunday.

“It’s not over yet. This is a good blessing bestowed upon us. But we are not yet contented, B-Meg outplayed us in our last meeting,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Ginebra earned the playoff berth following its 73-71 triumph over Talk ‘N Text on Wednesday to tie B-Meg at the second spot at the end of the semis with identical 9-5 card.

The victory by the Kings ended the stint of Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes on a sour note. Reyes will be leaving the team to take over the Smart Gilas-RP national team’s preparation for the FIBA-Asia championship and the Jones Cup in September. Multi-titled Ateneo coach Norman Black will take over the coaching chores of the Tropang Texters starting next season.

The Llamados, on the other hand, suffered a 92-82 setback to Rain or Shine on the same day, which sent the Elasto Painters to the Finals for the first time in franchise history since 2006.

However, Ginebra will come into Friday’s showdown as the only team which won four of its five games in the semifinals.