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Historic teams Barangay Geneva Gin Kings and TNT Tropang Giga will face off for the coveted Philippine Cup crown in a best-of-seven fight starting today, November 29, at 6 p.m. at the Cultural and Sports Center of the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) in Angeles. , Pampanga.
The last time the two giants fought for the Philippine Cup crown was 15 years ago, when Gin King Mark Caguioa was in his prime playing alongside Eric Menk, Sunday Salvacion and Rommel Adducul. TNT, then known as Talk N ‘Text Phone Pals, had the deadly duo of Jimmy Alapag and Willie Miller.
Geneva still has Caguioa, while former Talk N ‘Text player Bong Ravena is now the coach of Tropang Giga.
Geneva last won the Philippine Cup crown in 2007, while TNT held the All-Filipino title for three consecutive years from 2010 to 2013.
“This is for the Filipinos Ginebra, TNT plunge into action as PH Cup finals begins – The Manila Times that makes him very important, we are all going for the All-Filipino, that’s the jewel in the crown, ”Geneva head coach Tim Cone said at a post-game press conference after his defenses escaped with a small 83-80 win over the Meralco Bolts. in the decisive Game 5 of the semifinals on Friday night.
Scottie Thompson sank the game-winning triple with 0.6 ticks remaining in the game to send the Gin Kings to their first appearance in the Philippine Cup Finals in three years. The Gin Kings lost to sister team San Miguel Beermen, 1-4, in the 2017 Finals.
“I am very grateful to God for giving me the strength to make that shot. There is no more time so I should take the shot and I am so thankful to God that I did it, ”said Thompson in Filipino, after finishing the game with an impressive 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven dimes.
Tropang Giga, on the other hand, is also fresh from their life-and-death semi-final battle against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters on Friday. TNT won 91-81 to book their first appearance in the Philippine Cup Finals in seven years.
Tropang Giga came out of a 1-2 series deficit by winning the last two games, knocking the Fuel Masters out of the PBA bubble. Ray Parks led TNT with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
“It’s good to be back in the final. I must congratulate the players, all of them. They really stepped forward, ”Ravena said.
The San Miguel Brewers held the Philippine Cup title for five years, until they were eliminated by the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals.
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