Ginebra faces crack HK squad
Scottie Thompson rises to the occasion as import Justin Brownlee assumes the role of a backup option on offense as Barangay Ginebra whipped Phoenix, 94-72, Friday in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game.
Photograph by Joey Sanchez Mendoza for the Daily Tribune
Games today:
(Ynares Center)
5 p.m. — San Miguel vs Blackwater
7:30 p.m. — Eastern vs Barangay Ginebra
Justin Brownlee and unbeaten Barangay Ginebra march back to action eyeing a third straight win against guest team Hong Kong Eastern in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Rolling past their first two assignments, the Kings brace for a tougher battle this time facing a very potent Eastern side at 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, defending champion San Miguel Beer and Blackwater clash in the curtain-raiser set at 5 p.m. with both seeking to carve back-to-back wins.
Ginebra stalled NLEX, 109-100, last Wednesday before scoring a 94-72 rout of Phoenix Friday heading into the last of a three-game swing in five days.
Brownlee took the backseat on offense against the Fuel Masters and allowed locals Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario and rookie RJ Abarrientos to shine.
But more than their great display of firepower, the Kings’ menacing defense has been the key into their winning run.
“Our philosophy is a defensive team first. We will tolerate offensive mistakes but defense is more of effort and knowledge. Our expectations are always high for us defensively than we are offensively,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.
The Kings’ challenge is to contain Hong Kong key players Glenn Yang, Kobey Lam and Hayden Blankley. They have a score to settle with the team that beat them and their then Bay Area Dragons squad in the thrilling Game 7 of the conference’s 2023 edition.
On the other hand, inspired by the reinstallation of champion coach Leo Austria, the Beermen stopped a two-game bleeding by crushing Terrafirma, 106-88, last Friday.
San Miguel now parades an even 2-2 record as it tries to start a winning streak after a shaky start of its title defense.
The Bossing are also shooting for a back-to-back following their 114-98 victory over an all-Filipino Meralco side last Thursday for a 1-3 card tied with Magnolia.
Head coach Jeff Cariaso’s charges led by George King and Sedrick Barefield are out to score and upset over the Beermen led by new import Torren Jones, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Juami Tiongson.