by Jonas Terrado
Games Saturday (Mall of Asia Arena)
4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs Rain or Shine
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Magnolia
DEFENDING champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tries to end its playoff heartbreak against Magnolia as the quarterfinal phase of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup begins tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The “Manila Clasico” rivals start their best-of-three series at 6:45 p.m. with Ginebra hoping that the third time’s a charm after falling short in the two previous playing meetings with the Hotshots.
Magnolia beat Ginebra in four games of last season’s Governors’ Cup semifinals before recovering from a Game 1 defeat to win this year’s Philippine Cup quarterfinals in three full games.
“The last conferences, we’ve beaten them in the elims only to fall short against them in the playoffs. We need to change that narrative this time around,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, whose team won 102-81 over Magnolia in the elims.
Cone believes that could change this time with import Justin Brownlee around and Stanley Pringle being added in a trade from NorthPort during the midway point of the eliminations.
LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson are also expected to step up even as Greg Slaughter tries to make up for his struggles in the eliminations and play a crucial role in Ginebra’s chances of a title repeat in the midseason tourney.
Magnolia, on the other hand, goes into the quarters on a slump, having lost its final four games but managed to finish fifth with a 5-6 record.
Coach Chito Victolero is hoping that the two-day rest will be enough for new import Rakeem Christmas to showcase his true form after an eight-point, 14-rebound showing in Wednesday’s loss to TNT KaTropa.
Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Jio Jalalon are determined to keep Magnolia’s playoff success against Ginebra while Marc Pingris looks to improve after dealing with an adjustment following a 16-month absence due to an ACL injury.
Third seed Blackwater and No. 6 Rain or Shine formally start the quarters at 4:30 p.m., with the former eager to show that their elimination round showing is no fluke.
of Barangay Ginebra
Rookie coach Aries Dimaunahan and neophyte Ray Parks Jr. will be put to the test while being reinforced by returning import Greg Smith.
Rain or Shine, which barely avoided a twice-to-beat disadvantage, attempts to spoil Blackwater’s dream campaign behind import Carl Montgomery, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Rey Nambatac and Javee Mocon.
(Jonas Terrado)
Games Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
4:30 p.m. – Blackwater vs Rain or Shine
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Magnolia
