INSPIRED KINGS FACE SKIDDING ENERGY
Back on the winning track, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is fancied to get going and draw closer to pacesetter Petron Blaze as the Kings tangle with the skidding Barako Bull Energy Friday in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings are expected to ride the breaks and momentum of their 97-95 squeaker over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in their 8 p.m. showdown with the Energy, a team now on a three-game slump after starting the season with back-to-back wins.
“Kailangan talaga laging focused at determinado. Ayaw namin maulit yung laro namin against Meralco,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
Lacking fire and pizzazz, the Kings fell in a 100-87 ambush by the Meralco Bolts.
The Kings, however, have since recovered, bouncing back with a morale-boosting win over the three-time reigning champs Texters.
Mac Baracael provided the spark and firepower in a bristling rally from 14-point deficits and Japeth Aguilar delivered the winning plays in the end as the Kings outfought the Texters in a gripping battle before a crowd of over 13,000 at the Big Dome Sunday.
Aguilar pumped in a trey, then foiled a shot by Ranidel de Ocampo in the dying seconds as the Kings squeaked past the Texters and grabbed second place in the team standings at 4-1.
The night before that, Barako Bull absorbed a third straight loss, suffering a 92-77 beating at the hands of the previously winless Air21 side.
The Energy earlier bowed to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 83-91, and to the Petron Blaze Boosters, 90-96.
Sad reality after stirring conquests of Air21 and Alaska?
“Di naman,” said Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos.
“We just have to do our assignments and focus on things we want done,” Ramos pointed out.
But he admits having a work cut out for them versus Ginebra.
“They just came from a come-from-behind win against TnT. Meaning the level of their confidence is high. We have to keep the game close so we might have a chance,” he said. (SB)
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