By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings begin their best-of-five semifinal matchup with the TNT KaTropa today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Set for 7 p.m., the pairing between the Kings and KaTropa, the number three and two-seeded teams, respectively, was forged after they successfully passed their first playoff hurdles previously.

Holding twice-to-beat advantages in the quarterfinals, Barangay Ginebra defeated and in the process eliminated the erstwhile grand slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen at the first instance while TNT had to dig deep after being taken to the limit by the determined Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their own encounter.

The Kings finished with an 8-3 record at the end of the elimination round that merited for them the playoff incentive and matchup with powerhouse San Miguel.

While admitting the twice-to-beat advantage was a huge for them against a team like the Beermen, the Kings hardly showed they needed it as they practically lorded it over their opponents en route to a 104-84 victory in what turned out to be a lone game in their quarterfinal encounter.

Import Justin Brownlee has been leading Barangay Ginebra with numbers of 23.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks in 40 minutes on the floor.

Guard LA Tenorio has been good for 14.3 points, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals, comebacking big man Greg Slaughter is chipping in 14.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while Joe Devance is averaging 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Japeth Aguilar is the other Gin King scoring in double digits with 11.7 points to go along with 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

“After beating San Miguel it’s like winning a championship. But we’ve got to make sure we’ll get over that, make sure we don’t have a championship hangover in the next series,” said Kings coach Tim Cone after their conquest of San Miguel in the previous round.

“It’s only one step,” he added.

RETURN TRIP TO THE FINALS
For TNT, the matchup is another obstacle in its attempt to get back to the finals for a second straight time after their championship trip in the previous conference where it finished runner-up.

The KaTropa also had an 8-3 record at the end of the eliminations but because of a higher quotient ended ahead of the Kings in the quarterfinal seedings.

In the quarters, TNT was severely tested by Rain or Shine, forced to a rubber match where it had to turn to a late-game push to hack out the 118-114 win.

Import Glen Rice, Jr. played big in the end for TNT, draining key shots one after another, including the tip-in go-ahead basket, 116-114, with 10 seconds remaining.

He finished with a near triple-double of 34 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists.

Jayson Castro had a double-double of 20 markers and 12 dimes and so did veteran Kelly Williams who finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Troy Rosario had 18 points and Roger Pogoy 16 to help their team dispose of the Elasto Painters.

“It was a hard-fought series. We’re happy we survived it,” said TNT coach Nash Racela following their win.

For Mr. Castro, he said they are mindful that their job is not yet done and that they have to prepare well against Barangay Ginebra.

“Ginebra is a tough team and its fan support is tremendous. We have to go over those things if we are to beat it in a series. Hopefully this win over Rain or Shine helped us prepare for it,” said the veteran TNT player.

The winner of the TNT-Barangay Ginebra series will battle the victor of the other semifinal series between the Meralco Bolts and Star Hotshots, which began their own semis last night.

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