IMPORT George King’s arrival seemed an early Christmas gift for Blackwater, which rolled to three straight wins after he was tapped to replace the team’s original reinforcement.
One of those victories was a stunning 95-88 decision over Ginebra last Aug. 30.
While admitting King is fast turning out to be a savior, Bossing coach Jeff Cariaso is not one to let his wards fall into the traps of complacency, especially against the Ginebra Kings raring for payback.
“We’re fortunate to have won the last three games but we feel like our backs are still against the wall and we need to keep pushing,” Cariaso said. “It’s obvious on the court the impact George King has given us the last three games. He’s really a fighter, he’s a guy who doesn’t get rattled and he’s a true professional so we’re very fortunate to have him.
“But I think aside from that, the numbers, what we take as a big value is really his leadership, his composure, and the way he just, you know, inserts himself and how much he wants to be part of this team,” he added.
Whether Blackwater can stretch its red-hot winning ways will be known when it takes on an equally determined Ginebra side tonight in Group B in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The match is set at 7:30 p.m., with the Bossing and the Kings eyeing win No. 4 after Rain or Shine tries to get back on track against winless Phoenix in the curtain-raiser at 5 o’clock.
Ginebra tactician Tim Cone said his team, coming off a 110-101 triumph over Phoenix Friday last week that jacked up its mark to 3-2, is relishing the chance to get back at Blackwater–the Kings’ first-round tormentor.
“This is the first time in many years we play somebody twice in the eliminations,” Cone said. “This is really a different feeling for us. We never felt this before because usually it’s one and done and just play them in the playoffs.
“Obviously, it’s a big game for both of us to open up the second round. They (Bossing) won three games in a row, and we put in two games in a row. They really handled us well (in the first round).”
Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee, former MVP Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, and RJ Abarrientos should be the marked men for the Bossing.
Aside from King, the likes of Troy Rosario, Christian David, RK Ilagan, and Justin Chua will be relied upon by Blackwater as it aims to further boost its 3-3 card that included a 110-109 escape over NLEX four days ago.
“Kailangan namin ng six wins so kapag nanalo kami we feel one foot inside the door na kami sa quarterfinals,” strategist Yeng Guiao, whose Elasto Painters nearly cut the mighty San Miguel Beermen to size in a 112-113 loss on June Mar Fajardo’s buzzer-beating jumper Thursday last week, said.
“We look at it that way. Kumbaga, ang importante lang makarating kami ng next round the sooner, the better.”
Holding a 4-1 record, Rain or Shine will pin its hopes on import Aaron Fuller, rookie Felix Lemetti, Adrian Nocum, Gian Mamuyac, and Keith Datu.
The Fuel Masters will bank on reinforcement Brandone Francis, RR Garcia, Jason Perkins, Javee Mocon, and Tyler Tio to pump life to their 0-5 campaign so far.
Repeating over the Kings should continue to boost the Bossing’s bid as the rising kings of the season-opening tourney.
