Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Meralco

7:30 p.m. — Barangay Ginebra vs Magnolia

Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone sees Magnolia as the same dangerous team whenever they play the Manila Clasico.

For the 26-time champion mentor, the Hotshots’ current record in the standings doesn’t diminish their competitiveness and playing a Magnolia side hungry for victory will be quite a challenge.

The Kings eye back-to-back wins when they play cellar-dwelling Magnolia in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra is out to improve its 2-2 win-loss record while the Hotshots try to end the first round on a winning note after a dismal 1-3 start in the 7:30 p.m. main feature.

“So, you know, early results are early results. I mean, you always want to get ahead. You always want to be on top of the standings, but, you know, you don’t panic when you don’t,” Cone said in his third chess match against former player and now Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio.

“And I don’t think Magnolia is going to panic. I know LA (Tenorio). I know what kind of personality he has. He’s not a guy who panics. You know, they’re going to figure it out, and hopefully they figure it out after we play them on Sunday,” Cone quipped.

Behind the heavy lifting by RJ Abarrientos and import Riley Grigsby, the Kings scored an 84-75 victory over a depleted Meralco side last Friday to get back on the winning track.

On the other hand, the Hotshots suffered a painful 97-98 loss to Rain or Shine two nights ago.

Tenorio, who split his head-to-head against his former mentor this season, sees the match as a test of character for Magnolia.

“This is going to be a test of character for us. I know we’re a young team and most of our players are young. But this is the time that will test our character,” he said.

“Are we going to bounce back with that kind of loss or are we gonna deflate? Will we retreat, will we be down or are we going to fight and bounce back?”

Meanwhile, the Elasto Painters try to pick up from where they left off in the first round as they aim for a fourth straight win over the Bolts.

Tipoff time is set at 5:15 p.m.

Sporting a 3-2 slate, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao has set a goal of winning at least two more games before the long break.

A ceasefire is set from 15 August to 6 October to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier.

“Every game is important so hopefully, before the long vacation we’ll be able to collect at least five wins. That’s what we’re chasing,” noted Guiao.

Before the break, the Elasto Painters still have to face Phoenix on 9 August. Once the league resumes action on 7 October, Guiao hopes his team will keep racking up wins to gain a top four spot in the bracket and advance to the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, Meralco is on a two-game slide and carries a 2-3 card.

The Bolts will need to find a way to win despite getting decimated by injuries.

Meralco played in its previous game minus one of its main local scorer CJ Cansino (hip flexor), Bong Quinto (vertigo), Jason Brickman (flu) and Raymond Almazan (back spasms).

“For us, it’s always about the next man up mentality. We have good players all around. They put the work in every day at practice,” Bolts veteran guard Chris Newsome said.

“For us, it’s always been about having that moment come and stepping up.”