Questions answered from PBA Govs' Cup Finals Game 3

We just love this photo of Scottie Thompson towering himself for a layup. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ginebra finally heard a wake-up call as coach Tim Cone coined and took Game 3 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals against TNT in a rare All Saint's Night schedule at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Let's break down what mattered a lot for both teams.

Na na na-Ginebra, dre?

Don't let the fact that Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings in scoring in Game 3 deceive you because it was another relatively quiet game for him.

The key stat here is that two locals not named Japeth Aguilar stepped up in Game 3 in scoring.

Leading the way was Scottie Thompson, who top-scored for Ginebra for most of the game until Brownlee got his shots going in the fourth quarter, finishing with 15 points alongside five rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Maverick Ahanmisi also got his stroke late and added 16 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

After being the top local for the team almost all conference long, Japeth Aguilar struggled a bit, only making 10 points and committing six turnovers.

Still, with Thompson and Ahanmisi stepping up, it was fine.

Wait! It should be "Na na na-Tenorio, dre?"

LA Tenorio surprised TNT in Game 3. PBA Images

The biggest surprise, though, was when LA Tenorio started Game 3 over Ahanmisi, and he provided an instant spark with nine points, making all his four two-pointers, and four steals.

"Whenever the coach calls me, I'm always ready whether it's a starter or off the bench," Tenorio said.

So we can safely say (keeping the Bini spirit in his part of the post-game analysis), "Na na na-Tenorio sila, dre."

Ginebra: Ang koponang pantropiko

The need to finish the PBA Governors' Cup quickly in time for the November window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers prompted the league to hold Game 3 of the finals on Nov. 1, a day the PBA usually slashes off to give way to the All Saint's Day remembrance.

Despite the heavy traffic near the cemeteries and many spending their Halloween break elsewhere, the Smart Araneta Coliseum was nearly sold out for Game 3.

And it was timely that the Tropang Giga realized that they should not get the Gin Kings' fanbase, which is too large like Bini, going.

For both Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and RR Pogoy, they anticipated the Ginebra crowd, which has made up a majority of the crowds for the first three games of the series, to be too raucous.

"They pay money to come watch us play. They decide to boo [me]. I love it. It means they're getting their money's worth. At the end of the day, it's fuel to me," Hollis-Jefferson said.

"Masaya naman. Dami din kasing nanood," Pogoy added.

The Smart Araneta Coliseum has yet to announce the arena attendance for Games 2 and 3, but knowing that it is larger than the Ynares Center in Antipolo yet it was almost full for two straight games, one can assume there were at least 11,000 fans in both games.

I can feel Rondae Hollis-Jefferson all around me

All Saint's Day was not a rest day for Rondae. PBA Images

Despite losing Game 3, Hollis-Jefferson still put up solid numbers with 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one block.

One interesting stat, though, that was also evident in Game 2 was that he played the entire 48 minutes without getting substituted.

While we all know that "RHJ" was once an NBA player who is already used to playing the 48-minute game, it's still glaring enough.

Needing to play for the third time in five nights could raise concerns from the fans if coach Chot Reyes risks not giving Hollis-Jefferson a rest again in Game 4 as TNT looks to take a commanding 3-1 lead.

However, coach Tim Cone is amazed at how Hollis-Jefferson still gives his all without a single second on the bench.

"Rondae just doesn't slow down. He's amazing," Cone said.

"He's by far the best import I've ever seen in terms of focusing on defense and on hustle."

Game 4 lookahead

What to watch out in Game 4 on Sunday night?

First, obviously, whether the Tropang Giga will indeed go 3-1 up or the Gin Kings cut the series to a mock best-of-three.

Second, the PBA will reveal the Best Player and the Best Import of the Conference where Brownlee, Thompson, Aguilar, and Hollis-Jefferson are prime candidates in their respective categories.

Third, Thompson is expected to grab his 2,000th defensive rebound of his pro career which will make him the first guard since Ginebra legend Robert Jaworski Sr. to enter the PBA's 2,000 Defensive Rebounds Club.

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