BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel believes with Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray back in harness and Troy Rosario now on board, it is well-equipped for the coming PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup title rematch with tormentor TNT.
The Tropang Giga feel that even without the heart and soul of Jayson Castro, they can contend for the coveted trophy in the mid-season conference.
“I think we’re coming into this series with a lot more depth than we had the last time we played them, and that will be a big factor for us. Just the idea that we have a little bit more depth and length than we had in the last series we played,” Malonzo said.
Malonzo is nearing top form after a long layoff from a calf injury that forced him out of action when the Tropang Giga beat the Gin Kings, 4-2, in the season-opening Governors’ Cup to retain the crown.
Gray, back from ACL, is getting his feet wet after a long hiatus from a knee injury.
Rosario, a former TNT stalwart, joined Ginebra as a free agent before the Commissioner’s Cup. Rosario is rehabbing a sprained ankle he sustained in the closeout of semifinal opponent NorthPort last Friday. However, he is hopeful he will be good to go in the Finals opener on Friday at the MOA Arena.
If Ginebra added ammo for this second Last Dance this season and third overall in the last five conferences, TNT lost a major player in Castro, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Game 2 of the semifinal series with Rain or Shine.
Though shocked by the abrupt exit of “The Blur,” who was Finals MVP in the last Governors’ Cup, the Tropang Giga are soldiering on.
“Our ability to play at a high level without Jayson (will be key),” said TNT mentor Chot Reyes.
“He was the last Finals MVP. So it’s like taking that piece away, and it will be a telling factor. We will not sell these other players short because they’ve shown in the last series how well they can play even without Jayson. But I’d be lying if we don’t admit it will be a big factor.”
TNT plans to fill in Castro’s shoes by committee.
“I’ve said this before. No one can fill in Jason’s shoes. So we’re asking all the other players to give in more and try to contribute more than usual. So that we can all try to make up for Jason’s loss, the best we can do pos to hope that the effort of the others is enough to cover for Jason not being here with us.”