Ginebra collides with Blackwater
BARANGAY Ginebra swings back to action after a 12-day break as the Gin Kings take on the injuryriddled Blackwater Bossing in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup today, November 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is 5:45 p.m. Currently at fourth spot in the standings, the Gin Kings (5-2) have won their last three matches, including a 97-96 victory over sister team San Miguel Beermen nearly two weeks ago behind Scottie Thompson’s game-winning triple.
They face the Bossing (3-7) who have lost their last four assignments.
Making matters worse is the continued absence of injured veterans Troy Rosario (foot) and JVee Casio (groin), while Baser Amer is listed as day-to-day after hurting his calf three weeks ago.
Blackwater is now in a mustwin situation in a bid to reach the playoffs.
But winning is easier said than done, especially against a Ginebra squad that is already humming well in its last three games under coach Tim Cone.
Resident import Justin Brownlee continues to lead the way, backstopped by Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and high-flying Jamie Malonzo. The three locals, along with Cone, are fresh from the Gilas Pilipinas’ stint where the national side beat Jordan and Saudi Arabia in a pair of away games in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Cone served as one of Gilas coach Chot Reyes’ assistants.
In Cone’s absence over a week ago, Ginebra assistant coach
Richard del Rosario has led the practice sessions.
“As long as these guys come to practice everyday, work hard, we can keep the momentum going because when you’re kampante, that’s where you lose your momentum,” Cone said, prior to his departure to Amman, Jordan.
Meantime, NLEX (3-6) will be fighting for dear life when it goes up against winless Terrafirma (09) at the 3 p.m. curtain raiser.
The Road Warriors have lost their last four games, including a 118-98 beating at the hands of the Bay Area Dragons to fall to 10th spot at 3-6. The team has also lost six of its first seven games under new coach Frankie Lim.
NLEX will go up against Terrafirma, which has already bowed out of playoff contention, but will surely act as spoiler in an effort to finish its conference campaign with a bang.
The Dyip, in fact, nearly ended their winless trip last week after leading by a double-digit spread, only to succumb to the NorthPort Batang Pier’s fourth-quarter rally and lose, 91-85.
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. NLEX vs Terrafirma 5:45 p.m. Ginebra vs Blackwater Team standings: Magnolia (8-1), Bay Area (8-2), Converge (8-2), Barangay Ginebra (5-2), NorthPort (5-5), Phoenix (5-5), Meralco (4-5), TNT (4-5), Rain or Shine (4-6), San Miguel (35), NLEX (3-6), Blackwater (3-7), Terrafirma (0-9)