Tempo

KINGS Go to CDO Northport out to end skid against Blackwater

- By reynald Magallon

Games Today (Caloocan Sports Complex) 3 p.m. – blackwater vs northport (aquilino Pimentel internatio­nal Convention Center) 6:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Converge

Barangay Ginebra is looking to keep its chase for a quarterfin­als bonus as it takes on also-ran Converge when the 2024 Philippine Cup flies down south in Cagayan de Oro on Saturday, April 27.

The Kings, toting a 6-3 record good for the solo third, aim to move further up and close the gap between them and leaguelead­ers San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots in the 6:15 showdown against the already eliminated Fiberxers at the Aquilino Pimentel Internatio­nal Convention Center.

Setting up the table for the interestin­g clash is the showdown between skidding teams Northport and Blackwater over at the Caloocan Sports Complex at 3:00 p.m.

Both teams are free-falling after a strong start to the conference, dropping their respective last five contests with the Batang Pier sliding to the eighth spot with a 4-6 slate and the Bossing dropping to the ninth spot with a 3-5 record.

Despite being the heavy favorite in the contest, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone does not want his wards to play complacent in front of Converge especially after it picked up its first win at the expense of Meralco.

For one, the Fiberxers have nothing to lose at this point as they are only aiming at spoiling the part for the playoff seeking teams and have their own graceful exit to the all-filipino conference.

The Batman and Robin tandem of Justin Arana and Alec

Stockton is expected to be at the forefront of the attack for Converge but huge contributi­ons like the one Bryan Santos had in the win against the Bolts would be of a great help to the cause for Aldin Ayo-mentored squad.

Santos fired seven triples on his way to 22 points to help the Fiberxers end a record of futility that saw them drop their last 12 games, dating back to the Commission­er’s Cup last December.

However, taking down a mighty team like the Kings would also be easier said than done, more that the anticipate­d jam-packed crowd is expected to rally behind them.

 ?? ?? Ginebra fans in Cagayan de Oro are looking forward for another stellar performanc­e from Scottie Thompson when the Kings battle the Converge Fiberxers. Thompson is from Davao del Sur.
Ginebra fans in Cagayan de Oro are looking forward for another stellar performanc­e from Scottie Thompson when the Kings battle the Converge Fiberxers. Thompson is from Davao del Sur.

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