Games today:
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5:15 p.m. — Ginebra vs Terrafirma
7:30 p.m. — Meralco vs Phoenix
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone has sounded the alarm button.
With the Kings positioned in the lower half of the 12-team standings in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup, Cone swears the squad’s remaining games are must-wins.
Tonight at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Ginebra faces lowly Terraffirma as the league’s most popular team shoots for its third straight victory.
The Kings parade a 4-4 win-loss card and are favored to add the Dyip, toting a 1-8 slate, to their growing list of victims.
Despite Ginebra coming off a masterful 103-85 victory over Blackwater last Wednesday, Cone said they can’t take any game for granted as they play to sweep their remaining games to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.
RJ Abarrientos dropped 24 points for the Kings as he is coming off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in Game 1 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers last 28 November and 1 December.
“We just want to win as many games as we can. Maybe we get lucky and get to that top four but like I said, we have to get lucky,” Cone said.
“A lot of things would have to break our way for that to happen but the bottom line is we got to continue to win games. Every game for us right now is a playoff game.”
Stephen Holt and Jeremiah Gray are also expected to deliver for Ginebra after scoring 12 points each against Blackwater.
Also looking to strengthen its quarterfinal bid is Meralco as it faces Phoenix Super LPG at 7:30 p.m.
The Bolts, who have a 4-4 mark, look to make it two straight wins following their 102-87 bashing of the Dyip last Wednesday.
Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo said they are also in survival mode as they need to win their remaining matches to advance.
“The quarterfinal ticket is there for the taking but I think we need to win two of the last three games. If we win all of our games, it might put us into a situation where we could even finish in the top four,” Trillo said.
“Every game is a playoff game for us,” he said, echoing Cone’s sentiments.
CJ Cansino is expected to step up once again after dropping 20 points for the Bolts as well Chris Banchero, who scored 13 points.
Phoenix head coach Willy Wilson said it is all about improvement for them despite still being in playoff contention with a 3-6 record.
“Our journey, It’s all about growth. I’m already happy if we have fewer mistakes than our previous games,” said Wilson, who drew 33 points for Jason Perkins in their 106-98 victory over Blackwater last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Christian David is expected to be one of the main scoring options for the Fuel Masters after he dropped a double-double game of 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Bossing.