GINEBRA will open its bid for redemption in the PBA Governors’ Cup undermanned, with former MVP Scottie Thompson likely among those who will watch from the sidelines due to a nagging back injury.
“I would say at this point, if I was looking at it objectively, I would say at this point he’s doubtful to start the conference. But that’s not 100 percent sure,” Kings coach Tim Cone said. “He’s improved, his back is improved because he was working through his back issues, other things started to bother him.
“He started getting plantar fasciitis. He had a toe issue, and it all was related to the back. So, he’s got multiple things that he’s dealing with,” he added.
Aside from Thompson, high-flying forward Jamie Malonzo has been ruled out of the season-opening tourney kicking off Aug. 18 no thanks to a calf injury.
Jeremiah Gray can also only join Ginebra in the latter part of the tilt.
“Jamie’s gonna be out for another two or three months, probably three or four months. I don’t see him making this conference. We’re really targeting the next conference to see if he can get back,” Cone said. “The other guy is Maia (Gray). Maia hasn’t gone back fully into practice either. He looks like he’s another month or two away before he can get back, but we’re going to keep an open spot for him.
“Three, obviously, really key players for us, Scottie, Jamie, and Maia. Three super talented players that we won’t have this conference. So, we’re gonna try to make up their absences in other ways.”
The Kings will parade a new-look squad after acquiring last cage wars’ Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephen Holt, and big men Isaac Go and Ben Adamos while dealing star center Christian Standhardinger and veteran playmaker Stanley to Terrafirma, and reserve Sidney Onwubere to NorthPort.
Ginebra also signed No. 3 pick overall RJ Abarrientos and third-round selection Paul Garcia, formerly of Ateneo.
After sitting out the last Commissioner’s Cup due to a ban for fluking a doping test in last year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou where he led Gilas Pilipinas to a first gold in 62 years, resident import Justin Brownlee is expected to show the way anew for the Kings.
