By Jonas Terrado
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs NorthPort
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Magnolia
Magnolia braces for another difficult challenge from a Barangay Ginebra San Miguel squad that will likely see the return of three key players in their PBA Governors’ Cup duel tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots, the first team to claim a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, seek a strong finish in their elimination round campaign at 6:45 p.m. against the Kings, who are expected to bring back Greg Slaughter, Sol Mercado and Joe Devance from injuries.
Slaughter has been out since early-September due to a sprained ankle, Mercado had a meniscus tear while Devance was dealing with a stress fracture on his left foot.
Having them back poses as a big boost for coach Tim Cone and the Kings as they aim to clinch the twice-to-beat bonus in the latest chapter of their so-called Manila Clasico rivalry with the Hotshots.
Also looking to secure the quarterfinal bonus is Alaska, which takes on NorthPort in the first game at 4:30 p.m.
The Aces blew their chance at securing the twice-to-beat last Friday as they fell 116-110 in overtime to the NLEX Road Warriors at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Alaska is keen on regaining its A-game against NorthPort, a team eyeing to end its season on a high note after just two wins in 10 games this conference.
Magnolia earned the twice-to-beat bonus last Friday when it blew out TNT KaTropa, 116-103, at Ynares with Ian Sangalang falling a point shy of tying his career-high by scoring 28.
A victory over Ginebra gives Magnolia the top seed in the quarters, but coach Chito Victolero and company are more focused on being their best form before entering the next stage of the season-ending tournament.
Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Rome dela Rosa and Justin Melton are also tasked to outlast their Ginebra counterparts LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Jeff Chan and Aljon Mariano.
Import Justin Brownlee leads the charge for the Kings, who are actually coming off a 104-97 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Oct. 13 in Lucena.
Magnolia tries to counter Brownlee’s presence with all-around import Romeo Travis, who may have to deal with the tough job of facing Slaughter in the middle.
