KINGS LOOKING TO CROWD LEADERS
Alaska’s upset loss to Barako Bull Wednesday night has kept the fight for the Top Two in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round wide open.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel seeks to pound the opening, first by trying to rebound from a loss the last time out as the Kings tangle with the Meralco Bolts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
They must beat the Bolts and then ride the momentum in their last three games against the GlobalPort Batang Pier, the Aces then the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters if the Kings were to make a Top Two finish and gain outright passage into the semifinals.
Ginebra and Rain or Shine are tied at third place at 5-2, a game behind joint leaders Alaska (6-1) and San Miguel Beer (6-1).
The Kings slipped to third following a 77-79 defeat at the hands of the Beermen Sunday.
Meanwhile, Meralco, having dropped two of its last three games, hopes to check further slide.
The Bolts are the decided underdogs versus the Kings, but coach Norman Black is hopeful they can pull an upset if they come out and gut it out.
“We just have to come out and give a consistent effort for 48 minutes with dedication on the defensive end of the court,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
“As I told the team the effort we displayed versus Rain or Shine is just not acceptable. Even with that, we will have our hands full going up against a Ginebra team that is loaded in all positions. But I know that the ball is round for both teams, so if we come out and play with desire, anything can happen,” Black also said.
Among the early league leaders, the Bolts dropped down the middle of the chart following losses to the Aces, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters and the RoS Elasto Painters.
Hard to swallow were their 64-105 blowout by the Aces and the 79-107 rout by the E-Painters.
The Bolts hope to get going again to salvage at least a spot in the quarterfinals with the twice-to-beat advantage. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
