Ginebra and TNT prepare for a hard-fought battle in the title series | PBA Governors Cup Finals 2023

PBA Finals Fight

The PBA Governors’ Cup championship will see an exciting showdown between two teams: Barangay Ginebra and TNT. TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa will have the chance to face his former mentor Tim Cone, the most accomplished coach in PBA history with 25 league titles. Lastimosa and Cone’s history goes way back to the ’90s when they were together during Alaska’s dominant title run. Together, they won nine championships, including a rare grand slam in 1996. They will be on opposite sides of the court, with Cone eyeing his 26th league title and Lastimosa looking for his first breakthrough crown as a coach.

Despite their history, both coaches maintained their respect for each other. Lastimosa expressed his excitement to be on the same floor as Cone and his willingness to learn from him. On the other hand, Cone acknowledged that there would be intense competition between the two teams, but he expected respect on both sides of the court.

TNT beat Barangay Ginebra in their lone encounter in the conference, 114-105, and finished as the top-seeded team going into the playoffs, making them the slight favorites in the finals. However, Lastimosa pointed out that Ginebra is the defending champion and is coming off a successful title run against guest team Bay Area Dragons during the Commissioner’s Cup title series, which makes the Tropang Giga the underdogs of the series. 

On the other hand, Ginebra counterpart Alfrancis Chua refused to be drawn on the matter but guaranteed a series that should be good for both the league and basketball fans. PBA Board chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas had a different mindset about the matter, declaring that TNT is the best team in the conference and won’t be thinking that they are the underdogs. Instead, they are the hound dogs, the German shepherds.

Despite the pre-series analysis, the outcome of the series remains unpredictable. It’s expected to be a dogfight, with both teams determined to win the championship. The series is supported by ARENA Plus and will be a best-of-seven battle, starting on Easter Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Basketball fans are excitedly waiting for the showdown between these two powerhouse teams, and it’s sure to be a thrilling series.

Check the PBA Finals Schedule for more thrilling action and high stakes drama as these two basketball powerhouses fight for the championship title.
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