BARANGAY Ginebra tries to get its act together when it battles long-time rival Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Gin Kings are coming off a 110-99 setback against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and dropped to a 1-2 win-loss record.
The Bolts, on the other hand, got its behind kicked, 112-98, by the Magnolia Hotshots for their second defeat in four games, tied with the Elasto Painters.
Ginebra and Meralco are expected to go all-out when they clash at 7:30 p.m. on Friday as they try to avoid a losing streak.
Riley Grigbsy has been doing it all for the league’s most popular squad with averages of 28.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while shooting 40 percent from downtown. Certainly, not bad for someone who knows he is playing just as a stand-in reinforcement while four-time PBA Best Import Justin Brownlee recovers from injuries to his leg and knee.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said he is happy with what the Gin Kings are getting from the 26-year-old G-League veteran. But what he wants to see is for the Ginebra locals to get their acts together.
With the team just a little over a month removed from its Commissioner’s Cup title conquest, Cone hopes RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario, Stephen Holt and Japeth Aguilar can finally get rid of the championship hangover.
Former PBA Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson is still recovering from a hamstring injury, thus, the need for bench players like Ralph Cu, Nards Pinto and Isaac Go to step up their games for Ginebra.
The Bolts, on the other hand, have hulking Antonio Hester leading the way along with CJ Cansino, Bong Quinto, Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine tries to sustain its winning run when it battles Magnolia at 5:15 p.m.
After back-to-back losses to open the conference, Rain or Shine won back-to-back games against Phoenix and Ginebra.
The Elasto Painters are led by import Aaron Fuller, who has flaunted for his strong inside presence in the tournament.
Fuller scored 37 points against the Gin Kings and will certainly, try to dominate the paint anew in an effort to give Rain or Shine its third win in five starts and enhance its chance of being among the top four teams going into the quarterfinal round from Group B.
Magnolia import KJ Buffen, meanwhile, netted 26 points and played beautiful music with Ian Sangalang, Zavier Lucero and Mark Barroca to secure the team’s first win for the conference after a 0-2 start.
The Hotshots are in for another tough battle on Friday.
