GlobalPort ‘poses a lot of problems’ for Ginebra, says Cone
GlobalPort’s backcourt tandem of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle spell trouble for Ginebra. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
How will Globalport handle Barangay Ginebra’s vaunted frontline? And how will Barangay Ginebra take on Globalport’s superb backcourt?
These are the primary questions as the Batang Pier and the Gin Kings clash in an exciting match in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Globalport (3-2) will be out to stay right behind the frontrunners while Ginebra (3-3) looks to sustain its climb in their 7 p.m. tiff.
The Batang Pier moved down from joint lead to fourth place following a 104-123 rout by the Alaska Milk Aces in a game where Stanley Pringle got into foul trouble early.
The Gin Kings, meanwhile, hit the .500 mark anew as they kept their perfect run on the road with an 80-76 decision over the Mahindra Enforcers at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Sunday.
Coach Tim Cone and his troops have been 0-3 in games played in the Metropolis. They hope to break the losing streak as they play their second game at the Big Dome this conference.
“Globalport certainly poses a lot of problems for us with their quick guards and their physical front line. They’re a tough matchup,” said Cone.
“This is a key game for us as we try to gather some momentum in the middle of this eliminations, plus it’s a chance for us to climb over .500 for the first time,” Cone also said.
Main men to watch in the Globalport side are Pringle and Terrence Romeo who average 21.0 and 20.8 points, respectively.
Then there are Keith Jensen, Doug Kramer, Joseph Yeo and Jay Washington.
The Batang Pier are likely to push the ball hard at every opportunity in a bid to throw off Ginebra dominant big men Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.
Through the first half of the elims, Slaughter leads the tourney in scoring (22.8 ppg) and rebounding (15.6 rpg). Aguilar has had his huge norms of 17.6 points and 8.3 rebounds.
In their last game against the Enforcers, the Gin Kings drew big help from new recruit Jervy Cruz with 10 points six rebounds and one assist.
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