The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Talk ‘N Text KaTropa Texters at 6:30 P.M. on June 11, 2017 in Mall of Asia Arena.
The speed versus strength semi-finals series between the Gin Kings and the KaTropa will officially commence this evening.
Coach Tim Cone is a master of the triangle offense which brought grand slam championship to Alaska Milkmen and San Mig Coffee Mixers.
The same offensive strategy employed by the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers during the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
Fast forward to the present day, there is a new basketball offensive play that utilizes speed and usually doesn’t need a dominant offensive big-man.
It’s called “Small-Ball”, it’s the same strategy being used by the Golden State Warriors that helped them reached the NBA Finals for three consecutive years.
That might be one of the reasons why Ginebra recruited Justin Brownlee (listed as 6’4) as their second conference import instead of hiring a 6’10 foreign player.
Coach Tim Cone is fully aware of the strength of TNT KaTropa especially the name of Joshua Smith who’s also known as the “Jumbtron” because of his massive size at 300+ lbs.
“We’re going to have to find ways to battle their in-and-out game with their massive import. They, of course, will have to find ways to stop our quickness,” said Cone.
In order for coach Nash Racela’s squad to control game is to keep the pace slow. Especially that their last two games in quarterfinals round against Meralco Bolts all ended in an overtime.
“Of course it is an advantage, (Ginebra) having had a couple days off. Kami naman we were stretched again today. Back-to-back overtime games kaya talagang na-stretch mga players,” noted Racela.