Slaughter remains doubtful as Ginebra, SMB begin semis
San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, playoff protagonists for the fourth time in the last five conferences, are both equally motivated as they start their 2017-18 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
Both sides anticipate a heck of a series, knowing well each of them are raring to come out to beat one another and get a shot at the ultimate prize in the league's premier tourney.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. for the opener of what could be a long, grind-out series.
Game time decision for Ginebra is whether Greg Slaughter will play. Coach Tim Cone, however, has hinted at continuing to rest the 7-foot-1 giant to prepare him better for the next games.
Slaughter could be a big key for the Kings as they try to avenge their loss to the Beermen in the 2016-17 allFilipino finals.
"Big thing for us is whether Greg can play. That will really help us equalize. That would be the great equalizer," said Cone.
For San Miguel, this playoff is also payback time after losing its quarterfinals matchup with Ginebra in the last Governors Cup. The Beermen actually have dropped playoff matchups with the Kings in the last two Governors Cups.
For SMB coach Leo Austria, another motivation is to win something for his wife who has just undergone a kidney transplant operation.