BARANGAY Ginebra seeks to maximize its win-once advantage when it battle a dangerous quarterfinals foe in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Gin Kings, who enter the playoffs as the second seed, clash with the seventh seed Phoenix Fuel Masters at 7:30 p.m.
Rain or Shine, the third seed in the playoffs, will also try to take advantage of its win-once bonus when it battles San Miguel Beer at 5:15 p.m.
For solid PBA fans, Ginebra is picked as the solid favorite to beat Phoenix, the team the Gin Kings trounced, 109-96, in the elimination round.
Ginebra has been a traditionally strong squad during the Commissioner’s Cup, having ruled this conference with Justin Brownlee in tow in 2018 and 2023.
The difference is, Phoenix has big dreams under new coach Charles Tiu, who has brought energy and dynamism to the Fuel Masters.
Johnathan Williams, the former PBA Best Import awardee, will be leading the charge for Phoenix. He led the franchise to a rare semifinal appearance in Season 48 of the same conference.
Williams will have for support Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio, Ken Tuffin and hopefully, a fit-again Ricci Rivero as the team tries to force a do-or-die match with a victory on Friday.
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is not expecting a walk in the park against Phoenix.
“We know we have a work cut out for us,” Cone said. “But right now, we’re focused on playing one game.”
The Gin Kings head to the playoffs on a two-game winning run after beating Rain or Shine and defending champion TNT at the end of the elims.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine, which started the conference with seven straight victories en route to reaching the playoffs, intend to flaunt its run-and-gun system against a San Miguel side that now has comebacking import Bennie Boatwright in tow.
Beermen head coach Leo Austria recognizes the danger of facing Rain or Shine that is why he wanted his team to bring their A-game on Friday.
“That team is really dangerous. They are out here to prove something,” said Austria.
“First half of the tournament, they soared to a 7-0 start. That’s no joke. They just sustained some injuries and later on, a couple of last-second losses. But for me they’re really a contender.”
