There are teams who score on what feels like a hoop the size of an ocean. And there’s the kind of night the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings had against the TNT Tropang 5G.
A barrage of 3-pointers, tons of second chance points, and better overall energy left the Tropang 5G stunned. The Gin Kings were obviously out to win, but they also wanted to make a statement to TNT and the rest of the league.
On paper, Ginebra, along with perhaps the San Miguel Beermen, NLEX Road Warriors, and the Magnolia Hotshots are seen to be among the contenders that could end the Tropang 5G’s PBA Grand Slam aspirations. However it’s the Gin Kings that may very well have the best chance, especially when the likes of Japeth Aguilar turn back the clock with games like this.
By their lofty standards, though, the season has been disappointing for Ginebra. Making the playoffs has been the bare minimum for the PBA’s most popular franchise, but missing out on three of the last five league conference championships certainly strings, especially when peers like the Beermen and rivals like TNT have won during that span.
Talent has never been the issue for the Gin Kings, as they have a roster that always finds a way to reload rather than rebuild. Tim Cone has one of the most secure jobs in the league and he could very well finish his coaching career with Ginebra. Stability and continuity are thus not major issues for the Gin Kings, so what’s there to address?
Execution has been one of Ginebra’s more pressing issues as off nights from their best players tend to spell their doom. It’s not uncommon, though, as it happened to the Tropang 5G as well, but the bouts of inconsistency have been more pronounced with the Gin Kings, with their finals losses weighing heavily on these dry spells.
Ginebra is a grizzled bunch and they thrive on experience. RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario, and Jamie Malonzo are finding their footing within the Gin Kings, with the latter continuing to work his way back from a calf injury.
Abarrientos’ development will be critical given his role within Ginebra’s backcourt. For now, he’s the spark off the bench and the much needed playmaker against supposedly weaker bench lineups. But going forward, he’ll be asked to do more and pretty much be more for the Gin Kings, who have pinned their future title aspirations on him.
For now, though, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings will try to find ways to recreate and sustain the efforts that resulted in their statement victory over the Grand Slam-chasing TNT Tropang 5G. Their old reliables have been leading the charge, but as their young guns gain more experience, we could very well see a changing of the guard that will hopefully coincide with the return to the top.
