Third time's the charm: Ginebra, TNT clash again in PBA finals
Metro Manila, Philippines - Two powerhouse squads familiar with each other will square off for the third time in a championship showdown.
Barangay Ginebra and the TNT Tropang Giga will collide in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup finals. The best-of-seven affair will begin on Friday, March 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
For Ginebra, this is another opportunity to prove it has what it takes to take down the Tropang Giga on the grand stage.
Meanwhile, TNT is looking to assert its dominance over the Gin Kings after taking home the last two Governors' Cup titles in previous encounters.
Not everything is the same for Ginebra and the Tropang Giga in this latest installment of their brewing rivalry.
Ginebra will now have wingers Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray who are coming off injuries, and Troy Rosario who will be going up against his former team for the first time in the finals.
TNT, on the other hand, will have to rely on the likes of Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy to carry the scoring load as Finals Most Valuable Player Jayson Castro will miss the entire finals due to a right knee injury.
Ginebra resident reinforcement Justin Brownlee will be going all out motivated more than ever as he aims to reclaim his dominance and surpass Sean Chambers for having the most PBA titles won by an import.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is expected to be Tropang Giga's anchor on both ends of the floor as he looks to keep his perfect finals record against Brownlee.
Will Chot Reyes' disciplined defense hold the fort for TNT or will Tim Cone's offense finally land Ginebra a title against their nemesis?