Kings eyes playoff entry against Dyip

Barangay Ginebra interim coach Richard del Rosario and the Gin Kings take their second test sans coach Tim Cone as they tangle with the Terrafirma Dyip Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Triumphant in their initial outing with Cone away in the US, the Gin Kings go for a follow-up in their 6 p.m. setto with coach Johnedel Cardel and his crew who are now desperate to break into the win-column.

Del Rosario said he wants to pay the trust of Cone and the team management, hoping to get the team in a good spot and in good shape by the time their decorated bench chieftain returns before the playoffs.

“The team management won’t allow coach Tim to take a leave if they don’t trust me. And I won’t to pay back their trust,” said Del Rosario, who has a chance to get the Kings to the post-elims play - possibly with a twice-to-beat incentive.

Against the winless Dyip (0-6), the Kings push their bid for a top two finish in the single-round-robin elims.

A win would propel Ginebra back to joint top spot with idle San Miguel Beer and to a sure quarterfinals entry.

Like in their previous game against Converge, the Kings are coming off a big win and they’re facing a team on a slump. Del Rosario called it a “recipe for disaster” if you take the other side for granted or if you fall to complacency.

Del Rosario promises not to fall into that trap. Scottie Thompson said they’re embracing the “next-manup” mentality, saying everyone is ready to step up with coach Cone serving duty with the Miami Heat in the NBA Summer League.

“Step up si coach Richard in place of coach Tim, and we’re ready to respond,” said Thompson, among the stellar performers in their 105-89 blasting of the FiberXers Friday.

The Kings are bent on keeping their streak going, promising not to relax against the Dyip who are now hard pressed to find the right formula to nail a first win in the tourney.

As it is, they have a lot of catching up to do if they’re to make the playoff round. —