Upbeat Gin Kings eye 5th win vs Magnolia
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2019 16:25:34 +0000
Barangay Ginebra will be gunning for its fifth victory when it competes against Magnolia today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings, coming from a morale-boosting 100-97 win over solo leader Phoenix Pulse on Sunday, are hoping to sustain their winning ways in their 6:45 p.m. game against reigning Governors’ Cup champion Hotshots.
No. 5 Ginebra with a 4-3 win-loss record is still hoping for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, which it could only bag by sweeping its remaining four games in the elimination.
“We’ve had another long week of anticipation getting ready for this game. It is never too hard getting up for the Manila Clasico. The buzz around the stadium is always a little more loud and you can feel the energy of the fans and the crowd,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The Hotshots eliminated the Gin Kings in last conference’s semifinals.
“This will be our first game with Magnolia since they knocked us out of the semifinals last conference. So it’s a game we’ve been looking forward to. We know there will be a great battle,” added Cone.
Ginebra will rely on LA Tenorio who finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in their previous outing.
Magnolia, at 3-4, is bent to keep its winning ways with only four games left in the elimination round. The Hotshots are coming off two recent victories against Columbian Dyip (109-83) and Alaska (103-86).
Coach Chito Victolero will be counting on Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca against Ginebra.
In the 4:30 p.m. opening game, Northern Luzon Expressway hopes a repeat of its 91-70 win over Alaska on Wednesday when it battles Blackwater (2-7).
The Road Warriors, at 3-5, must win their last three games in the elimination to reach the quarterfinal .
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