Barangay Ginebra eyes seventh win in a row
BOASTING of the longest win streak right now in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup of six matches, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings try to extend it further with a victory today over the Blackwater Elite.
Set to take the floor at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Kings gun for a seventh straight win that would fortify their hold of the top spot in the season-ending PBA tournament and create more distance between them and the chasing pack.
Since losing in its Governors’ Cup debut, Barangay Ginebra has been unstoppable, piling up victories, the most recent of which came last Sunday over the Star Hotshots, 105-101, in overtime in their “Manila Clasico.”
Import Justine Brownlee paced the Kings with 33 points and 10 rebounds with Greg Slaughter also having a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks.
Joe Devance finished with 17 points as well while LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
In winning over the Hotshots, the Kings used a spirited charge in the second half to force the overtime before accelerating things in extra period.
“We didn’t play the game well and I feel we’re just lucky to have won because they (Star) played well throughout. That was a tough game for us. They’re a tough matchup for us,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone after as he assessed their performance.
Also out to sustain its good form of late is Blackwater, winner of four of its last five games as it turns things around for its campaign.
Replacement import Henry Walker has proven himself to be a game-changer for the Elite (4-4), averaging 30.80 points, 18.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals in five games to date where he has led the team to a 4-1 record.
Against the Kings today, the Elite will have added firepower with newly acquired players Chris Ellis and Dave Marcelo making their debut for the team after getting them in a recent trade with Barangay Ginebra.
In return, Blackwater gave away currently injured player Art dela Cruz and bruiser Raymond Aguilar.
Meanwhile, in the first game at 4:15 p.m., GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-4) face off with the Alaska Aces (1-6). —