Kings seek strong finish, battle Elite

Game today (Angeles City)

5 p.m. – Ginebra vs Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra hopes to check its rollercoaster ride as it guns for a crucial win against back-to-the-wall Blackwater for an outright quarterfinal berth in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the AUF Arena in Angeles City, Pampanga tonight.

Stopped by Rain or Shine the last time out, the Gin Kings play the Elite at 5 p.m. looking to touch off a strong finish for a possible shot at the Top Six or a twice-to-beat advantage in the first part of the two-stage quarterfinals.

“Every game is crucial at this point. We’re right in the middle of the standings and on the brink of sixth place. Every one of our games has playoff implications, so we’ll have to step up our play,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“We’re still looking to smooth out our game and develop some consistency,” added Cone ahead of the Petron Blaze-sponsored road game that offers the Kings a chance to break off a three-way logjam at sixth with the Barako Bull Energy and the NLEX Road Warriors at 4-4.

The Gin Kings will next face the Road Warriors and the TNT Tropang Texters for their final assignments in the single round elimination phase.

Blackwater is in a tight spot at 1-6, needing a strong finish in the elims to salvage a seat in the 10-team playoff phase.

Their last four matches pit them with the Gin Kings, the Barako Bull Energy, the Star Hotshots and the Mahindra Enforcers.

“No ifs and buts, we have to start winning,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

Their lone win came at the expense of Meralco, 92-90, back in Nov. 4.

After that, the Elite suffered blowouts against San Miguel (83-93), Rain or Shine (81-103), TNT (98-109) and Globalport (105-120).

A positive thought for the Elite is the fact that they beat the Gin Kings, 83-77, in their last match in the last Governors Cup.

But without a benefit of a tall import, Blackwater will surely have a tough time matching up with Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.

NOTES: Barako Bull coach Koy Banal is hoping the injury suffered by RR Garcia Thursday night is not so severe. “We had him checked by the doctor and I have not yet advised on the result. I’m hoping for the best,” said Banal. While defending TNT’s Jayson Castro, Garcia suffered a shoulder injury. “He’s had  the same injury before we got him from Globalport. Back then, he just underwent strengthening and he’s back in no time. Hopefully, it’s just the same. It’s a pity because he’s been in a great run,” said Banal. Garcia enjoys a career-best average of 17.12 points, a big improvement from his 6.4 norm in his rookie year and 9.6 last season.