GAMES TODAY
(PhilSports Arena, Pasig)
5 p.m. – Converge vs. NorthPort
7:30 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Ginebra
GINEBRA averted going down two in a row last week with a big win over Converge.
That doesn’t mean the Kings will look past the Phoenix Fuel Masters when they collide today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The game is set at 7:30 p.m. after the FiberXers try to apply the lessons from their loss when they face the NorthPort Batang Pier in the curtain-raiser at 5 o’clock.
The Tim Cone-mentored Ginebra five mangled Converge 85-66 in San Fernando, Pampanga, which raised the Kings’ mark to 3-2 in a tie with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
To continue its rise, Ginebra will rely anew on the likes of former MVP Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, RJ Abarrientos, Jamie Malonzo, and Troy Rosario.
Phoenix will go into the tiff aching to rebound from a 92-111 beatdown at the hands of San Miguel Beer last Sunday that pulled the Fuel Masters to 2-4.
Kai Ballungay, Kenneth Tuffin, and Jason Perkins will be relied upon by Phoenix strategist Jamike Jarin.
“Iyong mga ganoong laban we could use as we grow as a team, kasi hindi mo makukuha iyong ganoong atmosphere, pressure, sa ensayo,” FiberXers interim tactician Franco Atienza said. “Makukuha mo lang iyan sa game na makakalaban ka rin ng magaling.
“We may have lost that game but for the bigger picture, hopefully, we gained something and that’s for us to find out, kung ano na-gain namin,” he added.
Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston, and MJ Garcia are expected to carry the fight for Converge in its bid to improve its 4-3 slate.
NorthPort has to find ways to survive the continued absence of gunner Arvin Tolentino (right hip flexor).
Even without Tolentino and their foes reeling from a numbing 104-105 loss to defending champion Meralco last week, Atienza is not overconfident.
“For sure, we will not treat them lightly. Wala namang team sa PBA na you can take lightly. Lahat capable of beating any team,” he said. “So. paghahandaan namin. We went back to the drawing board after last Saturday’s game.
“Sana ma-translate namin into game kung anuman iyong mga adjustments namin.”
