SOME Dabawenyos credited Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' classic 91-88 title victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 6 of the 2016 PBA Governors Cup best-of-seven finals series Wednesday evening to luck, among other factors.
Justin Brownlee's buzzer-beating triple ended Ginebra's eight-year title drought, making the win sweetest this time.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Davao liaison officer Ronel Leuterio said someone has to win and unfortunately it favored Ginebra. "I still believe that it could go either way," he said, adding that the Gin Kings did not just rely on luck.
He continued, "I've always believe that luck is a product of hard work. The harder you work, the luckier you get."
He observed that Meralco import Allen Durham was guarding Brownlee's drive as the latter was too far from the three-point area. He said that sometimes when one is guarding someone, he has to give up something.
Durham, according to Leuterio, made the decision to guard the drive and lost the opportunity to contest the long three-point shot.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, for his part, said Game 6 was a classic championship that is seldom seen.
"Both teams played excellent and IQ basketball. It was a tight final game. Both teams are both champions," Ramirez said.
Veteran Davao City coach Cadel Mosqueda, a former PBA player, said the Ginebra fans played a key role to the victory, adding that the presence of Robert "Sonny" Jaworski fired them up more.
Jaworski reportedly had a pep talk with the Kings during halftime.
"Nabuhayan sila. Lamang ang Meralco di ba. Combination ng moral support ng mga fans lalo na ni Big J at syempre si Tim Cone magaling, parang total package - moral support, fighting spirit and coaching system," Mosqueda said.
With the win, Cone bagged his 19th PBA title, his first with Ginebra.
