Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs Blackwater
6:45 p.m. – Star vs Ginebra
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel shoots for a playoff berth against Star in the resumption of the PBA Governors Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
At 5-2, Ginebra is a win away from advancing to the next round and, more importantly, keep on track for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs stage.
Star, on the other hand, is struggling to keep its head above water after dropping its last five matches. The Hotshots lost their last two games with new import Joel Wright for a 1-5 record.
The game between Ginebra and Star is set at 6:45 p.m., right after the 4:30 p.m. encounter between Alaska and Blackwater.
The top eight teams after the eliminations advance into the quarterfinals, with the best four earning twice-to-beat incentives in the crossover stage.
The bottom four teams after the elimination round are eliminated.
In its latest win, Ginebra held off Rain or Shine, 101-87, with import Justin Brownlee collecting 31 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.
The locals also made huge contributions as guard Sol Mercado had 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point territory, LA Tenorio added 15 points, four boards and nine assists, and Japeth Aguilar 14 points.
Through six games, Brownlee is averaging nearly 30 points, 12.50 rebounds and 5.17 assists in almost 40 minutes of action.
Brownlee will be matched up with Wright, who averages almost 30 points as well with 18.50 rebounds.
However, the Hotshots are saddled with lack of local support.
In their 69-85 last setback against Alaska last week in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, only RR Garcia finished in double digit among the locals with 15 points.
Another interesting match pits Alaska (2-5) against Blackwater (1-6), which is also out to end a five-game losing skid.
The Aces lost to an import-less defending champion San Miguel Beer, 106-103, last Wednesday.