Gins to Price: Shape up or ship out

For Barangay Ginebra import Ricky Price, it’s good or bust as the beleaguered Kings clash with the Coca-Cola Tigers tonight in the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference at the Astrodome.

He must shape up or he may finally see the end of his stint with the Kings since the Ginebra management is now considering to tap the services of former Coca-Cola import Rossel Ellis.

"We hate to see him go pero mukhang ganoon ang mangyayari. For the good of the team, sacrifice has to be made," said Ginebra team manager Ira Maniquiz.

"With Eric Menk’s status on a daily basis, we need inside presence. That’s why we’re considering imports who could fill that need," he added.

With Price as import, the Kings split their first eight games in the season-ending tourney, losing their last two to the FedEx Express Friday and the Sta. Lucia Realtors Wednesday.

The former Duke mainstay averages 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He’s 10th and last in scoring and ninth in rebounds among the imports.

High on Ginebra’s list of possible replacement to Price is Ellis. Coca-Cola waived its signing rights on Ellis Monday. If no other team shows interest on Ellis in five days, Ginebra can sign up the hard-working player.

Thus, if Price doesn’t shape up tonight, the Kings may already have Ellis as their import as they take on Talk n Text Wednesday.

It’s FedEx versus San Miguel Beer in tonight’s other game and Red Bull Barako against Shell in tomorrow’s out-of-town sortie in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The Tigers, the Group B pacesetter with a 7-1 win-loss record, are already eyeing a guaranteed playoff crack for the quarterfinals as they play the Kings.