The Tropang Giga are hoping to carry over their success from their first matchup into the finals.
The 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup finals is set.
A clash of titans between the 3rd-seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the number one seed TNT Tropang Giga.
TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa says even if they got the upperhand against Ginebra in the eliminations, he is aware that the crowd-favorites are, well, the favorites to defend their Governors' Cup crown. In the previous Commissioner's Cup, Ginebra also took home the title.
“Everything is riding for them, and everybody is expecting that Ginebra will win this championship anyway,” said Lastimosa on Friday at the presser after they beat Meralco Bolts and advanced to the finals.
“We're only here to probably spoil the party and hopefully, we can come up with a good game like we did in the series,” he added.
Lastimosa, perhaps surprisingly, spoke as if they are not the top seed. The PBA great even said that his team "has nothing to lose" in this matchup.
Nonetheless, he likes their odds.
“Our players are playing well and maybe you guys noticed that we've been winning games during our streak with scoring and right now, we're defending really well, so we needed to play defense and offense in this championship series. So, I think the guys are gonna be ready,” Lastimosa explained.
In their eliminations encounter, TNT scored a comeback win against Ginebra, 114-105, thanks to a furious rally in the fourth quarter that stunned the defending champions.
But now as they meet in the finals, the Tropang Giga will look to repeat their success over Ginebra, especially with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leading the way.
“I'm a competitor so you put up against anybody, I like my chances,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
Catch Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals on Sunday, April 9.