Another explosive performance from Barangay Ginebra import Orlando Johnson, and Manny Pacquiao’s return on the Kia bench.
These are the big things that could well be in the offing as the Gins Kings and the Carnival face off in the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City Wednesday.
The two teams clash at 7 p.m. with the Carnival looking to follow up their triumph conference debut versus the San Miguel Beermen while the Gin Kings hope to get over the hump with their injury-depleted lineup under new coach Frankie Lim.
Determined to perk up their playing coach, the Carnival grinded out an 83-78 win over the San Miguel Beermen a week ago.
Regular import Hamady N’Diyae top scored with 21 points and also got six rebounds and four blocks while trade recruit Alex Nuyles and Asian import Jet Chang added 18 and 14 points, respectively, as the Carnival repeated their 88-78 upset of the Beermen in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Curiously, San Miguel, the reigning Philippine Cup champ, was the first team beaten by the league newcomer twice.
Now, Kia hopes to make further breakthrough, looking to pull a first one against a Ginebra side struggling minus injured key players Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar and Chris Ellis.
Kia’s spirits will likely soar even higher if Pacquiao does reappear in the team’s bench.
Team manager Eric Pineda has announced the boxing icon, arriving in the country Wednesday morning, will join the team in the game versus Ginebra.
It’s a big game considering the Gin Kings are now pressed to win following back-to-back losses to the Alaska Milk Aces (99-108) and to the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (91-95).
Johnson exploded for 50 points in the first game then 46 in the next, but lack of local support stymied Ginebra’s bids on those games.
A big concern versus Kia is how to match up with the Carnival 7-0 import.
Minus Slaughter and Aguilar, Ginebra is playing small with Dave Marcelo left as the team’s lead center. (SB)
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