Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs Mahindra
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Rain or Shine
Three teams in the running for twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs see action today in the resumption of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel clashes with Rain or Shine at 6:45 p.m. before the 4:30 p.m. game between Mahindra and Blackwater.
The Kings and the Enforcer sport 4-2 win-loss cards behind the perfect 6-0 record of TNT Katropa, while ROS has a 3-2 slate.
Only the top eight teams after the single elimination round will advance in the quarterfinal playoffs, and the four teams with the best records will earn that bonus of twice-to-beat against the lower four squads.
The Elasto Painters are fresh from a 117-114 win against the Alaska Aces last Wednesday, which saw import Dior Lowhorn collect 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul Lee and Chris Tiu both shot a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point area as they combined for 31 points.
Lee said it’s about being consistent on their performance and facing a tough Ginebra side is a big test.
“Before nung gami namin versus Alaska, galling kami sa talo nun. So parang medyo up and down kami,” said Lee.
“Hopefully ma-sustain namin yung magandang nilaro ng team last game.”
“Crucial game to kasi nasa kalahati na din tayo ng conference e, so ibig sabihin palapit na ang playoffs. Kailangan maka-panalo para maging maganda yung position namin sa playoffs,” added Lee.
Ginebra is hoping to get back from a 105-111 double overtime defeat to SMB last Sunday that snapped a three-game streak. In their last game, Kings reinforcement Justin Brownlee collected 38 points and 22 rebounds.
Brownlee, however, got little help from the locals with LA Tenorio (17 points), Japeth Aguilar (13 points and seven rebounds) and Joe Devance (16 points) as the only double-digit scorers for Ginebra. (Waylon Galvez)
