In a rematch of their classic encounter from last year, the Kings and the Bolts will go at each other again, with the perennial crowd favorites eyeing to retain their crown while Meralco seeks redemption from last season's heartbreaking loss.
Both Meralco coach Norman Black and Ginebra coach Tim Cone are already anticipating another hard-fought series.
Barangay Ginebra showed it was more eager to go for a repeat than Meralco’s desire to go for revenge.
Bracing for a Bolts side that’s now armed with finals experience, the Gin Kings instead faced the old Meralco team that was content to just make it to the title series as it rolled to a 102-87 victory to take Game One of their PBA Governors Cup Finals series.
Justin Brownlee led the blowout for the Gin Kings, who proved their 93-78 loss to the Bolts in the eliminations was just a fluke.
Game Two of the best-of-seven series is on Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.