Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua acknowledged that the Gin Kings will be seen as underdogs when they face the TNT Tropang Giga, led by import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Chua recognized the absence of TNT star Jayson Castro, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the semifinals, but he emphasized that the Tropang Giga’s extensive experience will play a significant role when the best-of-seven championship series kicks off on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“First of all, they’re not underdogs,” Chua said, referring to the Tropang Giga. “I think, experience-wise, they have more experience than us. They have veterans in the team.”
He also pointed out that aside from their versatile import, TNT has key local players like Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Poy Erram, who can contribute heavily on offense.
However, TNT team governor and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas insisted that the Tropang Giga will be at a disadvantage in the finals, especially with Ginebra now having a fully healthy roster.
“If you take a look at it, we won some games against them, but today the Ginebra team is different. And it will be a different team in the finals. But having said that, we will also be a different team in the finals,” Vargas said.
He noted that Ginebra has been strengthened by the return of Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray from injuries, as well as the addition of Troy Rosario, who previously played for TNT for seven seasons before joining the Gin Kings.
“Definitely, we’re coming into this conference as underdogs. Man for man, no Jayson, improved chemistry of Ginebra. It’s actually a new team, and it will be a big challenge we will face,” Vargas added.
Despite these challenges, Vargas remains confident that both teams will bring their best performances, making the series an exciting spectacle for basketball fans.
“They will do their best in the finals, we will also do our best in the finals. And we owe it not only to people who watch the finals, and probably because of that, this may be the best finals that will ever happen in the PBA,” he said.
