GSM, Phoenix look to close the show, punch ticket to Finals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Ginebra San Miguel and the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters moved one win away from taking their respective seats as the finalists in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Carrying the Fuelmasters are the returning Calvin Abueva and main gunner Matthew Wright who showed better versions of their games in the PBA bubble.

Abueva, tagged as “The Beast”, was more of a “Tamed Beast” after a much more controlled play style following his return to the PBA from a 16-month suspension.

His partner, Gilas Pilipinas shooter Wright, presented himself as one of the best candidates for the Most Valuable Player award of the season after showing different dimensions in his level of play.

Wright’s on-point passing was on full-display in the PBA bubble and his leadership marching into the playoffs was extraordinary.

With their huge 92-89 Game 3 victory over the favorites TNT Tropang Giga, Wright, Abueva, and the rest of the Fuelmasters are looking to punch their first-ever PBA Finals trip in franchise history.

On the other hand, very familiar faces are seeking to re-enter in the finals and cement themselves as one of the best teams ever assembled in the PBA.

The Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel, led by one of the best coaches in the league Tim Cone, just defied what the Meralco Bolts can throw at them after a 91-84 Game 3 win and will only need one more victory to close the series in their favor.

Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle, Scottie Thompson, and LA Tenorio proved that they are still a solid core and are grinding it out together with their promising young stars.

Rookie Arvin Tolentino is showing qualities of a potential superstar after stepping up to the challenge of being coach Cone’s reliable member in their starting five as a shooting and versatile big man.

Forward Aljon Mariano is also re-inventing himself in the Ginebra system and is already one of their consistent post-scorers.

Will coach Norman Black and Meralco show something different in Game 4 and hope to extend the series in a knockout game?