Questions answered from PBA Govs' Cup Finals Game 1

Rey Nambatac's impressive PBA Finals debut was just the tip of the iceberg in Game 1. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MY colleague Drew Malihan's MPL Philippines playoff previews loaded with K-Pop and Beyonce Knowles references inspired me to load up my PBA Governors' Cup Finals previews too with references from Bini and hit emo songs.

However, after covering Game 1 live at the sold-out Ynares Center in Antipolo, I realized that at least from the said game, some of my sub-headlines may have been answered.

So I decided to look back at some of my H2s and supplement them with what transpired from Game 1.

So here are my takeaways from last night.

Tried to get a bucket vs. TNT but it's empty

Ginebra stumbled to TNT's tough defense. PBA Images

First up, TNT's defense.

Despite assisting 28 times out of 30 made field goals and 24 free throws, Ginebra went nearly empty against TNT in Game 1, especially from deep.

The league's number one three-point shooting team only hit a grand total of three long toms out of 26 (2-of-21 on threes, 1-of-5 on fours) throughout the game.

On the contrary, the Tropang Giga more looked like the top team from deep, going 13-of-31 in total on threes and fours.

"We're a very data-driven team, so we work on the numbers and then we focus really on taking away their strengths and making sure that we lean on what our strength really is, which is our ability to stop teams and play defense. So when we got off to that good start defensively, I think that set the tone for the game," TNT coach Chot Reyes said.

As The Click Five hit "Empty" goes, maybe the Gin Kings were trying too hard.

"You hate to have it happen in the first game of a championship series," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.

"We weren't locked in the whole game."

What's your poison now, TNT?

Jayson Castro sent RJ Abarrientos to school in Game 1. PBA Images

As underrated as the Chicosci song "What's Your Poison?" was, Jayson Castro's contributions to the Tropang Giga past his prime have been under the radar.

However, the vintage "Blur" showed up in Game 1, scoring 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal off the bench while stymieing RJ Abarrientos defensively.

"Jayson saw the opportunity in the third quarter. Credit to his teammates for affording him and making sure that he gets in the right place to be able to attack," Reyes further said.

So the "lason of the game", that is, the dark horse, for Game 1 belongs to Castro, who showed why he was at one point the best point guard in Asia.

Is RJ Abarrientos born to win?

With that said, let's jump to Abarrientos.

In what could be his worst performance since his PBA debut, the second-generation point guard was held to only five points, going 1-for-6 from deep, three rebounds, and one assist in Game 1.

Abarrientos admitted after the game that Castro gave him a "seminar" (as what Drew would call it every time his heroes would own mine in the MPL Philippines Media League) on why champions are not born to win as what Bini claims but made.

"Pinakita talaga ni Kuya Jayson kung sino talaga yung Jayson Castro na iniidolo ko sa ngayon. Nakita niyo naman kung paano ako atakehin kanina," Abarrientos conceded.

"Hats up to Kuya Jayson. Sobrang galing talaga. Sobrang bilis."

He then rued, "Marami pang kakaining bigas. Marami pang kulang."

Looking forward to PBA Governors' Cup Finals Game 2

The series will now shift to the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City for Games 2-4 and if necessary, Games 5 and 6 too.

With a two-day break ongoing, Ginebra surely has a longer time to look back at how they blew up Game 1 like that and adjust for Game 2.

The pressure is now on the Gin Kings to strike back at the Tropang Giga if they don't want to fall to a 0-2 hole.

And yes, you're gonna see this Game Analysis post again on Thursday and for the rest of the series.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno