The running narrative at the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals was that Barangay Ginebra would face challenges in terms of fatigue and preparation and that NorthPort, which has been having a strong conference thus far, could exploit them.

Well, that was completely debunked on Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Gin Kings playing as if they had the luxury of rest and battering a Batang Pier that looked shell-shocked when the deficit ballooned in the second half.

Article continues after this advertisement

Ginebra prevailed, 115-93, with a chance to take a 2-0 lead on Friday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Still, coach Tim Cone feels fatigue may eventually catch up with his squad.

“It’s just one game and it’s a long series,” he said. “So fatigue creeps in about Game 3 or 4 and you can go pretty good in the first couple of games.”

Cone, Game 1 Best Player Troy Rosario, import Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, playing assistant coach LA Tenorio and lead deputy Richard del Rosario spent the past two weeks going to different time zones as part of the Gilas Pilipinas contingent that dropped its final two games in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Article continues after this advertisement

Demonstrative

That meant having to deal with a quick turnaround preparing for the face-off with NorthPort, which came into the Final Four riding high on its unexpected rise into the top team after the eliminations and its ouster of well-experienced Magnolia in the quarterfinals.

Ginebra pulled away in the third, led by Rosario and rookie RJ Abarrientos, as a five-point halftime lead grew into 30 in the fourth, much to the disappointment of a NorthPort squad that will need a major morale booster to even things up.

NorthPort import Kadeem Jack was visibly demonstrative at the bench during the fourth, pointing the need for the Batang Pier to amp up their game, with the level of competition higher than what they experienced in winning nine of 12 in the elims.

“I just reminded the guys that the mistakes that we’ve made should not compound. That’s what championship teams are made of, and we feel that we are,” said Jack, who scored 33 points.

Ginebra’s bid is set at 5 p.m., and Cone is bracing for a big fightback from NorthPort, especially after Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon were complete nonfactors, combining for just 18 points on 5-of-22 shooting.

“They’re not the No. 1 seed by chance. They earned it and they deserved it,” said Cone. “[NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan] has been tremendous in terms of getting guys play their role, playing to people’s strengths. It’s just that we defended well [in Game 1].”

TNT shoots for a similar 2-0 edge over Rain or Shine at 7:30 p.m. with its trademark defense looking to once again shackle the ElastoPainters following the 88-84 win two nights prior.

The Tropang Giga, however, see no reason why they have to step back after being challenged for most of the way in the series opener before finding ways to hold on in the end.

“We have no illusions that this would by any means be an easy series,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Rain or Shine’s well-balanced, well-constructed, well-coached team.”