PAC-MAN MAY SEE ACTION AS CARNIVAL TAKE ON KINGS
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Kia, two teams that have dealt Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer humbling defeats, square off in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
It’s an exciting match that could be marked by the return of Kia playing coach Manny Pacquiao to hard court action.
“Pagbalik from the US, active na bumalik sa ensayo. Malamang lumaro against Ginebra,” said a team source.
Flying in late Saturday night, Pacquiao suited up Sunday against Barako Bull but opted to stay on the bench as they were whipped by the Energy, 86-95.
If ever, the boxing idol is seeing action in a PBA game for the second time after a brief stint in the Kia-Blackwater tiff during the season inaugurals at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Also keenly awaited is the Mike Dunigan-Peter John Ramos faceoff.
Having just led the Kings to a first win in the tourney versus the San Miguel Beermen, Dunigan is up for another tough matchup versus the 7-foot-3 Kia reinforcement.
The Kings dropped their first two assignments opposite the Meralco Bolts and the Barako Bull Energy before breaking through with a 95-82 win over the Beermen.
The Carnival are in high spirits with their 88-78 upset of the San Miguel Beermen before dropping a close game against the Energy, 86-95.
Kia can’t ask for more from Ramos who averages 36.3 points, 20.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks.
Dunigan, well scouted by the opposition, is off to a struggling start, making only 19 points, 13 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game.
Greg Slaughter is the team’s leading scorer with 19.6 points per game. Mark Caguioa is the third Ginebra player averaging double-digit numbers with 11.0 an outing.
In the Philippine Cup, the Kings blasted the Carnival, 87-55. (SB)
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