Ginebra and Meralco’s rivalry will open a new chapter tonight at the 2019 PBA Governor’s Cup finals. Two talented squads with two legendary coaches on both sides. Get your popcorn ready, folks.
The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings
The Gin Kings marched their way into the finals after ending sister team San Miguel Beermen’s bid for a grand slam in the quarterfinals, and then easing past the upstart NorthPort Batang Pier in the semifinals. Things won’t be as smooth against the Meralco Bolts, though, as seen in their one-sided regular season affair months back. It’s looking like this is not the same Bolts team they beat for the championship in 2016 and 2017.
Ginebra lost in a one-sided affair to Meralco last November 3rd, 101-77. They only shot 37% and went just 4-for-20 from beyond the arc.
As always, Justin Brownlee is the number one guy to watch out for. Look for the beloved Ginebra import to be a big threat anywhere on the floor and deliver all-around numbers. He’s fresh-off a series where he put up 29 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game.
The locals should be a handful as well. Twin towers Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter, who averaged 14.7 points and 10.5 points per game in the regular season, respectively, will establish the inside presence early. Guards LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, and Stanley Pringle, meanwhile, will provide a varying style as they collectively pounce opponents with facilitating, explosiveness, and defense.
The Meralco Bolts
The Bolts advanced to the finals after easily dispatching the Alaska Aces in the quarterfinals and then grinding out a semifinals series with the much-hyped TNT KaTropa that went into a sudden death game. The championship has eluded Meralco and head coach Norman Black for a while now, and among the walls that have prevented it are the Gin Kings, a team that has beaten them twice for a title.
Import Allen Durham (29.6 PPG, 14.6 RPG, 6.2 APG) was present in both championship losses too, so he’ll be on the hot seat to finally bring Meralco the coveted hardwood. The Bolts’ workhorse played as advertised in the aforementioned win against Ginebra months back. He was unstoppable, scoring a game-high 39 points on an efficient 16-for-21 shooting to go along 23 rebounds and eight assists.
Like Ginebra, though, Meralco will also be parading a handful of big locals. Fearless slasher Chris Newsome headlines that list, along with playmaker Baser Amer and big man Raymond Almazan, who led the Bolts’ locals in scoring at 14.5 PPG.
Newsome and Amer each had 21 points against Ginebra in the regular season, and the former is also coming off that semifinals knockout game versus TNT where he led all locals in scoring with 23.
PREDICTION:
There’s no love lost between these two squads, especially for the vengeful Bolts, so expect a war. Durham and Brownlee will get their share of monster numbers, but in the end, I see the Bolts being more aggressive and playing with a giant chip on their shoulder. Meralco takes Game 1, 108-105.
