Marlo Cuetio/INQUIRER.ne
TNT found itself on the bad end of Barangay Ginebra’s thumping Sunday night that took away whatever cushion the defending champions had — psychologically or literally on the scoreboard — after dominating defensively in the first two games of the PBA Governors Cup championship series. But – deleted it. ,
Coach Chot Reyes was so surprised after the 106–92 loss in Game 4 that he could only salute his tormentors, particularly Stephen Holt and Maverick Ahanmisi.
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“They were playing great,” he said. “Holt, man. He’s been defending Ronde (Hollis-Jefferson) the whole game and he’s still scoring. and maw [as well],
“We know (Justin) Brownlee, Scottie (Thompson) and Japeth (Aguilar). They are given. But the game of those two guys? They were really giving us a lot of problems… unbelievable. My hats are off.”
Holt had 18 points, three rebounds and two assists in the crowd darlings’ dominant win in front of 16,783 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ahanmisi was equally spectacular, finishing with multiple points, his final quad shot with 2:32 remaining proving to be the gut punch the Gin Kings needed to clinch the series tie.
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The pair powered Ginebra past the century mark that night, further impressing Reyes, whose team had played sensational saves early in the contest.
“They’re really finding their rhythm,” he said of the Kings. “They are able to read very well [while executing their offense well]“So it’s up to us to be able to defend better.”
As Reyes appreciated the additional contributions from within Ginebra’s roster, he lamented the lack of action on his part, and appealed to his bench to “step up” their play.
lack of touch
Outside of the always-reliable Hollis-Jefferson, who finished his coronation night as the best import with 28 points and nine rebounds, it was only Kelvin Oftana and Ray Nambatak who made an appearance for the Telco club.
Oftana had 26 points to finally break out of the series slump, but he regretted not getting enough points in the second half. Meanwhile, Nambatak added 15 more. But against a foe that was clicking on all cylinders, the Tropang Giga hardly stood a chance.
“I barely got anything in the second half,” the young TNT star said in a separate interview. “To be honest, I’m disappointed. I couldn’t get basketball at a time when I had a good feel for the game.
“As a player, you really know when you’re hot. But that’s basketball for you. The ball won’t just swing for me because I have teammates as well,” he added.
Reyes and Oftana quickly put the damage behind them. And that’s understandable, as the series has almost become a two-on-two race.
“Now we are 0-0 in the best of three,” the veteran mentor said. “Now they have momentum. Same thing happened with us when we were in rhythm after the first two matches. Now it has shifted. That’s final for you.
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“That’s basketball, our game. A seven-game series between two very good teams? speed can actually be [go either way]inquiry
