By Jonas Terrado
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs Alaska
6:45 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Ginebra
Rain or Shine hopes to notch its second straight win in three days when it faces Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The team of coach Caloy Garcia scored a 109-103 overtime victory against the Alaska Aces last Friday in a performance that certainly gave them an extra zest in time for their showdown with the league’s popular squad.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Ginebra again this conference, baka kasi mag-overtime kami uli,” said Garcia, referring to his team’s 99-91 loss to Ginebra in the previous Philippine Cup.
The game between Rain or Shine is set at 6:45 p.m., right after the match pitting Alaska and Blackwater at 4:30 p.m. with the Elite out to end a disappointing two-game losing skid.
Rain or Shine import Reginald Johnson made good account of himself as he finished with 32 points and 22 rebounds in his PBA debut.
He was ably supported by Chris Tiu who had 18 points, while Raymond Almazan and Mav Ahanmisi contributed 11 points apiece, and former two-time league MVP James Yap added 10 points.
“It’s a good start for us, but we have to fix our lapses (during our game against Alaska). Ang daming mali, daming errors, turnovers,” said Garcia, referring to his team’s 27 turnovers.
Ginebra, on the other hand, will play its first game minus three players, including 7-foot-center Greg Slaughter, who is still recovering from a sprained ankle.
“We’re all looking forward to getting this conference started,” said Cone, who likewise will miss Jervy Cruz and Paolo Taha.
“Granted, Greg, Jervy and Paolo are still out and our import is having a hard time adjusting to the heat and humidity, but the rest of the guys are ready and excited to go,” said Cone.
“Rain or Shine is always a tough, physical matchup for us, but we’re ready to battle,” Cone added.
Ginebra will have the 6-foot-10 Charles Garcia as its import, the team’s second choice after onetime Alaska reinforcement Shane Edwards was let go since he’s smaller as 6-foot-8.
Garcia is a nine-year pro having played in different like Turkey, Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, Bahrain, South Korea and Iceland, and had stints in the D-League, the last was with the Austin Spurs.
He won a D-League championship 2011 with the Iowa Energy where he played alongside former Ginebra imports Othyus Jeffers and Curtis Stinson, and NBA player Courtney Sims.
Last season with the Austin Spurs, he averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
