If there’s one team that means business thus far in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs, it may very well be the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. 

The Gin Kings have yet to lose in the 2024 Governors’ Cup postseason and they blew out the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the 2024 Governors’ Cup semifinals thanks to an offense that was firing on all cylinders. 

Justin Brownlee could barely miss from behind the 4-point line, while Stephen Holt, who normally scores in the teens, scored 30 points and was unstoppable inside the paint. That Ginebra had 32 assists (on just nine turnovers) only showed the balanced attack that became potent in the pivotal third quarter. 

All signs pointed to the Gin Kings taking Game 1 as the Beermen had the shortest turnaround among all the semifinalists in the 2024 Governors’ Cup. SMB may have made 46.3 percent of their field goals in Game 1, but the grind of a full quarterfinal series caught up with them one way or another. 

Meanwhile, Ginebra had the benefit of rest following a sweep of the Meralco Bolts. Playing the minimum number of games required to advance also allowed the Gin Kings to avoid major injuries. They’ll need all the good fortune when it comes to their health given how San Miguel will not go down without a fight. The Beermen swept Ginebra in their last postseason series during the 2023-2024 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup, but of course, the players and the circumstances were quite different then. 

For the Gin Kings to avoid the same fate, they’ll need to ensure their frontcourt players are on their toes. Brownlee is a given, especially with how he can either be a smooth operator or a power player, but Japeth Aguilar and whoever Ginebra head coach Tim Cone deploys in either Joe Devance or Ben Adamos must be able to hold down the fort. 

SMB has June Mar Fajardo, Mo Tautuaa, and Ejimofor Anosike, who all combined for 45 points and 30 rebounds. Thankfully, their efforts were for naught, but Fajardo and Anosike are due for another offensive explosion in the next few games. Fajardo, in particular, remains a dominant force and Aguilar cannot do it alone, especially at his age. 

Aguilar was able to overcome trouble thanks to the offensive efforts of Brownlee and Holt, but foul trouble could become a recurring theme for the Gin Kings in this series, more so if it’s only Aguilar and Brownlee left to fend for themselves.   

Holt, Scottie Thompson, and Maverick Ahanmisi will need to have their moments as well, but RJ Abarrientos will need to rise to the occasion. Holt, Thompson, and Ahanmisi were the starters for Ginebra in Game 1, so Abarrientos needs to sustain the effort when he steps on the court. He will definitely share time with Holt, Thompson, and Ahanmisi, but there will also be moments where he will need to be called on when the others are temporarily unavailable. 

Athleticism can win you some games, but it’s smarts that clinch championships. Such has been the case for the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in recent years. They may be in the midst of a two-conference championship drought (which is long by their standards) at the moment, but this current crop has them on pace to end that dry spell. That is, if they don’t let up after a stellar Game 1 performance.