As the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals heat up, Barangay Ginebra and TNT are set to pursue 2-0 series leads against their opponents at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday. The matches kick off with TNT facing Rain or Shine at 5 p.m., followed by Ginebra taking on the San Miguel Beermen at 7:30 p.m.
In the series opener, Ginebra secured a commanding victory over the Beermen, winning 122-105. The Gin Kings’ strong second half was instrumental in establishing their lead in the best-of-seven series. Head coach Tim Cone praised the contributions of import Justin Brownlee, who delivered an outstanding performance with 33 points, including an impressive 5-of-6 from the four-point zone. Brownlee also contributed eight rebounds and five assists, significantly impacting the game’s momentum.
Cone noted the team’s effective rhythm and execution, especially in the second half, saying, “I thought we played a really good first half… But we knew we really needed to play a real good second half.” Ginebra’s defensive strategy also played a crucial role, effectively limiting San Miguel star center June Mar Fajardo, who managed only nine shot attempts in the opener.
With both teams eager to take a commanding lead in the series, fans can expect an exciting matchup as the semifinals continue.
