BARANGAY Ginebra shoots for a share of the lead when it battles dangerous Meralco as the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round hits the final stretch on Labor Day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Gin Kings have won their last five outings since a 2-2 record to begin the tournament. NLEX and Rain or Shine, meanwhile, share the top spot with identical 8-2 marks.
The Gin Kings stake their winning streak against a Bolts side that is coming off a 103-92 loss to the San Miguel Beermen in their 7:30 p.m. encounter.
At 5-3, Meralco’s quarterfinal bid remains in the balance, thus, the charges of coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic are expected to bring their A-game against a red-hot Gin Kings.
Both teams thrive on playing defense.
Ginebra will have six-time PBA champion Justin Brownlee leading the way with veterans Scottie Thompson, Troy Rosario, Stephen Holt and sophomore guard RJ Abarrientos contributing as well.
Veteran big man Japeth Aguilar may not be available though since being hospitalized several days ago after an accidental collision with Blackwater import Robert Upshaw in their recent game.
Meralco import Marvin Jones, Cliff Hodge, Chris Newsome, Bong Quinto, Chris Banchero and CJ Cansino will have to play solidly together in the hopes of pulling off the much-needed victory and improve to 6-3.
A loss could drag the team down to 5-4, which could greatly affect the Bolts’ playoff aspirations given the tight race for the top 8.
Meanwhile, Phoenix (5-4) hopes to resuscitate its own playoff chances with returning import Johnathan Williams set to reinforce the team against the Bol Bol-led TNT (6-3) at 5:15 p.m.
Williams is taking the spot of James Dickey.
The American import first reinforced the Fuel Masters under then coach Jamike Jarin, leading the franchise to a semifinal stint in the 2023–24 Commissioner’s Cup.
He went on to win a Best Import award after averaging 24.5 points, 16.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 17 games.
From there, Williams saw action in the Japan B.League with for Toyama Grouses, Veltex Shizuoka, and Chiba Jets, before seeing action for Al Qadsia in Kuwait and in London.
Williams is fresh off a recent stint with the Suwon KT Sonicboom on the Korean Basketball League where he averaged 7.6 points and 6.0 rebounds.
