Cebu City, Philippines—The Mandaue City Ballers are dead set on evening up their finals match-up with the defending champions Talisay City Aquastars as the series heads to Game 2 on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
Even without star forward Kenneth Brillo, the Ballers put up a heck of a fight against the star-studded Aquastars and led by as many as 14 points.
However, Talisay City made its comeback in the second half and eventually won Game 1, 81-76.
Mandaue’s ace guard Gabriel Cometa is focused on getting the job done in front of their hometown fans to tie the series up and send it to a deciding Game 3 on May 11 at a yet-to-be-determined venue.
“We just want to win Game 2,” said Cometa after their practice session on Wednesday afternoon.
Cometa scored 22 points in Game 1 but it wasn’t enough as Mandaue City failed to win the battle of the boards.
“We have to control the rebounds,” said Cometa of one of their points of emphasis in Game 2.
The Ballers will have so much-needed help in that department as ace forward Kenneth Brillo will be making his return to the team after serving a one-game suspension in Game 1.
“We will welcome his additional productivity. His presence will also strengthen us on the defensive end,” Cometa added. /bmjo