Ginebra guns for 2-0 lead in Philippine Cup Finals

THE Barangay Ginebra Kings will aim to take a commanding 2-0 lead when it battles the TNT Tropang Giga anew in Game 2 of their Best-of-Seven Finals series in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena in Pampanga.

The Kings are coming off a 100-94 overtime victory in Game 1 in a thrilling match that saw LA Tenorio take over with his pinpoint passing, highlighted by an assist to rookie forward Arvin Tolentino, who made a layup to tie the game up at 92-all with just seconds left in regulation.

Tenorio admitted the play was for him to take the ball and make a decision. And although the 36-year-old was open for a shot, he deemed it best to dish the ball off to a cutting

Tolentino.

“I was open, but I opted to pass the ball to Arvin because that’s how I trust my teammates,” Tenorio was quoted as saying on the league’s website.

Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar then took over the scoring chores in overtime, the latter crushing a two-handed slam with just seconds left off a great feed from Tenorio to seal the Game 1 win.

“I cannot win this on my own. Stanley cannot win this on his own. Japeth cannot win this on his own. We really have to trust each other,” Tenorio added.

Meanwhile, aside from being down 0-1, TNT will also have to contend with the left calf strain that star wingman Bobby Ray Parks suffered in Game 1. According to a statement released by the Tropang Giga, Parks is “highly doubtful” on Wednesday, but the team is hopeful he could suit up in Game 3 on Friday.

Parks is a vital cog in TNT’s attack as he scored 20 points in Game 1 before fouling out late in overtime. (JNP)