AFTER ousting NorthPort in the quarterfinals, Ginebra is training its sights on rival Magnolia in the semifinals of the mid-season tourney.
King coach Tim Cone admitted his charges have to bring their A-Game in their series with the Hotshots.
“We’ve had so many battles with that team,” Cone said, referring to Magnolia after his team tripped NorthPort 99-93 three days ago in Game 2 of their best-of-3 quarterfinals duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“We know them well, they know us well, and they know what we like to do,” he added.
Cone is specifically wary of Magnolia’s 6-foot-10 Serbian-American import Nick Rakocevic, who led the Hotshots to a 103-97 victory over the Kings in their eliminations tiff last Oct. 23.
“He gave us fits the first time we played him around in the eliminations,” Cone said. “He was dominant especially on the boards, he was, absolutely. We couldn’t keep him off the boards.”
Game 1 of the best-of-5 semis showdown is set tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena.
Defending champion San Miguel Beer takes on eliminations pacesetter and foreign guest team Bay Area in another race-to-3 battle.
Reinforcement Justin Brownlee showed the way for Ginebra against the Batang Pier with 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists, while reigning MVP Scottie Thompson chipped in 15 markers, nine boards and nine dimes.
Jamie Malonzo also had 14 points for the Kings, while veteran playmaker LA Tenorio finished with 14 markers on four three-pointers to tie James Yap for third in the all-time three-points made list with 1,178 triples.
Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle also combined for 23 points as Ginebra scored a fitting follow-up to a 118-102 drubbing of NorthPort in Game 1 last Wednesday.
Now shifting their focus on the Hotshots, Cone said they have to do better on the defensive end against Rakocevic.
“He’s not only long and tall, but he’s incredibly quick to bounce,” he said. “So, that’s something we have to take a look at, and better be prepared for than when we were in the eliminations.”
Jeff Chan paced the Batang Pier with 20 points, five caroms, and six feeds, while Arvin Tolentino and Kevin Ferrer added 18 markers each.
Rober Bolick and Will Navarro also got 13 and 10 points, respectively, for NorthPort.
