Both sides know very well one game or one victory doesn't win a series.
And so both the TNT Tropang Giga and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are just staying focused on the task at hand, bracing for a continued battle in Game 2 of their PBA Governors' Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown.
Less than 48 hours from their Game 1 clash, the Tropang Giga and the Elasto Painters slug it out at 5 p.m. Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Of course, coach Chot Reyes and his Tropa are on a high coming from their 90-81 win Wednesday. Coach Yeng Guiao, for his part, doesn't see a reason to feel so bad this early in the series.
"I still feel good," said Guiao, who nonetheless is taking the burden to make the necessary adjustments as they yielded the 1-0 upper hand to the titleholders.
Off hand, Guiao sees the need to find a way to minimize turnovers and defensive breakdowns.
For Reyes, on a large part, it's about setting the tempo of the game, throwing their rivals off from their usual pace.
"By in large, we were very happy with the pace of the game and how the game was going at halftime even when we were down four. All I said at halftime is we have them where we want them, so relax and go into the second half and execute what we practice," said Reyes.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the way with a near triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as Roger Pogoy contributed 16 points and seven rebounds and Calvin Oftana chipped in 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The concern for TNT is the readiness of Kelly Williams after hurting a calf late in the first period in Game 1. He was promptly taken out of the game and never returned.
But even minus Williams, the Tropa held the usually efficient Elasto Painters to a 34-percent clip and beat them in transition, 26 versus 21.
Reyes hailed his troops' effort.
"The only way we can win this series is through our defense. They're the No. 2 team in scoring, No. 1 in field goal and fastbreak points and we're No. 1 in defensive stops. So for us to win, we have to limit their production," said Reyes.
Meanwhile, Guiao still feels good as they were able to stay in the battle even with their numerous errors and the long minutes sat out by import Aaron Fuller due to fouls.
"We're in the fight, we're two possessions down until RHJ made a four-point shot," said Guiao, referring the Hollis-Jefferson's dagger basket to make it 90-79 with time down to 1:47. (SB)
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