PBA Finals: Game 7 Keys to Victory for Ginebra, Bay Area

MANILA, Philippines-The cliche shows that the two teams facing each other in a long series have given everything they can throw away, which looks like the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title series between Barangay Ginebra and Bay Area that will be contested in a decisive Game 7 on Saturday.

But coach Tim Cone of Ginebra and Brian Goorjian may have something up their sleeves in the title decider at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, leaving the players to decide if the plan works.

Many questions are on the minds of those who have been following one of the hottest championships in a long time.

Where will the essence be delivered in the BIG GAME?

With Justin Brownlee and Myles Powell expected to cancel each other out with their ability to draw big numbers, the do-or-die match will be played by the locals who have great performances and struggles in six games played in a short period of time. three weeks.

Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger and recently Japeth Aguilar have been the Gin Kings’ most consistent players. Stanley Pringle has had his moments, as has LA Tenorio before being hampered by a groin injury while Jamie Malonzo is still able to make an impact after a rollercoaster Finals debut.

Bay Area has won three games behind Hayden Blankley’s all-around play, Kobey Lam’s outside shooting and Glen Yang’s steady playmaking, although the three also dealt with difficulties against Ginebra’s defense. Zhu Songwei can sometimes be a piece that can affect Bay Area with his length and versatility, but he is also suspected of making poor decisions while the 7-foot Liu Chuanxing and Duncan Reid produced strong efforts on both sides, especially after Andrew Nicholson was injured. .

WILL THERE BE A GAMBIT ON MYLES POWELL?

Powell’s 29 points, even against Scottie Thompson and Nards Pinto who are among Cone’s primary wing defenders, is proof of how the 6-foot-2 guard can explode regardless of the situation.

Some fans questioned the decision to keep Pinto in the fourth quarter with the offense dropping to a 1-of-9 clip. Thompson was also assigned to some parts of the game defending Powell.

Cone was satisfied with how the team defended Powell, but he may be looking at other ways to make Powell work. There are suggestions from Ginebra supporters that Malonzo or Aljon Mariano take over, or they can give Jonathan Gray, who has been used sparingly, a try.

At the end of the day, it will be up to Cone and the coaching staff to decide whether to live or die with whatever they want.

IS JAPETH AGUILAR READY TO PLAY THE BEST GAME?

Aguilar’s gastro problem has contributed to a dip in production due to the playoffs, but he has become a key figure for the Gin Kings when the Finals roll on.

Interestingly, he has produced 12-point, six-rebound numbers in each of the previous three games while averaging 3.0 blocks in that stretch.

The improved play has eased the load on Standhardinger, who through the series has been consistent with tough defense on the Bay Area front line while scoring points despite not being the first or second choice.

CAN THE BAY AREA BREAK THE PRESSURE?

The Dragons have proven they can do well even when playing against a crowd that is usually against them. Game 7 will test that belief, this time at least 50,000 will be watching in Bocaue.

There were games where the Ginebra faithful were able to force Bay Area into mistakes, but there were other days when the Dragons kept the crowd out of the picture, like in Game 4 with Lam shooting 30 and Powell sending a timely shot in Game 6.

WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BAY AREA PLAYER OTHER THAN POWELL?

It’s easy to say Blankley’s way of shooting the ball and his ability to defend as well as Lam’s knockdown shooter. But Yang became Goorjian’s most reliable local player since he did everything to play the midfielder role.

Yang’s absence in Game 5 was evident as Bay Area was forced to spread out point guard responsibilities. He played 43 minutes in Game 6 and his partnership with Powell suddenly added depth to the Dragons’ backcourt.

Who can win the FINALS MVP?

Thompson seems to be the favorite on Ginebra’s side, but Standhardinger may have improved himself after backing up Brownlee during Ginebra’s rally from 12 down in the third to lead by seven in Game 6.

Lam’s shooting in the win produced by Bay Area has made him a strong candidate, but Blankley has recovered from a terrible shooting display in Game 1 to emerge as a key contributor in the title battle.

CAN THE BAY AREA LAST FOREVER?

Unfortunately some fans have labeled the Bay Area as a friend who complains too much, which is the opposite since Blankley and Powell were fined by the PBA Commissioner’s Office for their comments to officials.

Goorjian’s wealth of experience which includes steering Australia to a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been evident in the way the Dragons have played. He has been harping about not only hoping to win but also to earn the respect of Filipino basketball fans.

But the Dragons, who have brought a different flavor PBA has not experienced in a while, seems to be done, regardless of whether it ends up with the title or runner-up trophy to bring back to Hong Kong.

What will be the implications when GAME 7 ends?

The hype surrounding the final game of the midseason conference has set up a fitting climax to an otherwise unpredictable series. This could be one of the most memorable endings in the series, especially for Ginebra fans who are hoping to get the satisfaction of winning a championship at the expense of a foreign team and further cementing the legacy of those who will try to pull it off. it’s dead.
For the Bay Area, the championship will be the ultimate prize after being in the Philippines for five months, having to overcome the suspension of the East Asian Super League and several import swaps involving Powell and Nicholson.

We would like to believe that it will be a Game 7 to remember, but whoever wins will have a memory that will last a lifetime.

RELATED STORY

Read Next