Gin Kings, Converge gun for strong final push for PBA semifinals

Games on Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:15 p.m. – San Miguel vs Ginebra (Game 4)
7:30 p.m. – Converge vs Rain or Shine (Game 4)
*Ginebra, Converge lead series, 2-1

THE entryway to the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinals is in sight. And now it’s up to Converge and Barangay Ginebra to make one strong final push to reach it.

For the FiberXers, who took a 2-1 lead against Rain or Shine (ROS) in the race-to-three quarterfinal series with a 105-89 romp last Tuesday, getting it done on Friday will result in history — a first-ever stint in the Final Four since the franchise’s PBA debut in Season 47.

There’s also an added fuel expected to further fire up the troops of coach Delta Pineda in the 7:30 p.m. potential clincher at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Last time they were in the quarterfinals, the FiberXers had a twice-to-beat advantage against the Gin Kings in the Philippine Cup but blew their best chance to get over the hump, losing twice.

“I always come out with a chip of my shoulder so I think being up now, 2-1, we’re not going to settle for less,” said Converge ace guard Juan Gomez de Liaño, bent on helping Converge close ROS out and forge a date with NLEX in the best-of-five semis.

For the Gin Kings, who bungled their sweep bid in Game 3 (98-101), making the most of their second chance to finish off San Miguel Beermen (SMB) will lead to a step forward in their bid for a golden double this season, adding to their Commissioner’s Cup triumph.

Plus there’s the tantalizing prospect of exacting revenge on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT, the same group that broke their hearts in the last two finals of the Governors’ Cup, if they claim their F4 ticket.

Ginebra hopes the “fumble-litis” that coach Tim Cone rued in the failed closeout in Dasmariñas will no longer hound the squad. But it vowed to give the same fight that helped them claw back from 15 down and still give themselves an opportunity at an endgame steal in the 5:15 p.m. Game 4.

“Proud of the way we battled. Hopefully we bring that same battle but this time we can make some shots and handle the ball better in Game 4,” said Mr. Cone.

The Beermen have rediscovered their “fire” in pulling off that lifesaving victory.

“I hope na ‘yung inumpisahan namin, ma-sustain namin,” said SMB mentor Leo Austria. “Makikita mo sa mata ng mga players, andun na ‘yung fire. Andun ‘yung sense of energy. Talagang ayaw nila magpatalo.”

It’s the same mindset for the embattled Elasto Painters in their do-or-die against the FiberXers.

“Hindi kami bibitaw. Hanggang kaya namin, we will try to push this to the limit. Kung saan man ‘yung limit na ‘yun, we will get there,” said ROS’ Yeng Guiao. — Olmin Leyba