TNT and Barangay Ginebra renew their rivalry this Friday when they tangle in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finale.

The Tropang Giga have won their last two championship duels with the Gin Kings, but without cornerstone Jayson Castro and the crowd darlings coalescing at full strength, coach Chot Reyes isn’t too comfortable being called as the favorites in a best-of-seven race.

“I’ve said this before: I don’t think anyone can fill in the shoes of Jayson. So we’re just asking all the other players to give in a little bit more and try to contribute a little more than what they usually do so that we can all try and make up for Jayson’s loss,” he said during the title series’ kickoff press conference at Kamay Kainan in Quezon City.

“The best we can do, really, is to hope that the effort of the others is enough to cover for Jayson not being here with us,” he added.

READ: PBA: Ginebra, Jamie Malonzo itching to get back at TNT in Finals

Castro hurt his knee in the series against Rain or Shine last February and has since been shut down for the remainder of the season. He was the Finals Most Valuable Player during the last two clubs’ encounter in the Governors’ Cup, which makes his absence even more jarring for the telco club.

But TNT is much more than Castro. Even Ginebra coach Tim Cone would be the first to say this.

The Tropang Giga has shown that it is capable of playing well even without Castro, and much of that is thanks to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who has been just as integral in the team’s last two run-ups to the crown.

“Rondae has just brought a tremendous mentality to this TNT team,” said Cone. “You know, he shows up every game. He shows up every quarter, every possession. And he just inspires his teammates. And you could just see it on the floor all the time.”

But there’s no denying that the Gin Kings will be enjoying a full complement of weapons come game time at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Ginebra, a traditional powerhouse raring to put an end to a two-year title drought, has regained Jamie Malonzo and Miah Gray from sick bay. The Gin Kings have also reeled in Troy Rosario, a former TNT mainstay, for their campaign.

‘Two special players’

“With great difficulty,” said Reyes when asked about navigating a series with an old reliable on the other side.

“Troy brings a lot more than just his skills and his talent to a game. His willingness to do whatever it takes. He’s a great teammate. So, there are so many intangibles when you talk about Troy. He wasn’t there in our last Finas, so that’s going to be a big factor,” he said.

“But so is Jamie. Jamie, as well, is going to be 100% right about now. And that’s another factor that we have to contend with. So, it’s a really tall order for us. But these are the challenges that make any competition worthwhile, right? When you’re faced with very tall odds, you still find ways to at least compete and give yourself a chance. And I think that is our mentality going into this series,” he added.

And then, there is, of course, the indefatigable Justin Brownlee, who will be trying to end his personal dry spell against good pal and fellow naturalized star in Hollis-Jefferson.

“Just two special players. And, you know, we’re lucky at this time right now in the PBA to be able to witness these two guys go at each other,” said Cone.

“These are momentous times. I think when we look back ten years from now, you know, we’re going to be remembering these times when the rivalry was big between Justin and RHJ,” he added. INQ