ONE 0 HAS GOT TO GO
Resurgent Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and red-hot Air21 face off in an expected grind-out duel Tuesday, fighting for the solo lead in the PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both try to preserve their clean slates as they slug it out at 8 p.m.
The Kings are off to a 2-0 start playing a new system under coach Jeff Cariaso while the Express have sustained their breakthrough run last conference, winning their first two games in the season-ending tourney – a franchise first.
“We need to make sure that their big guys won’t dominate us,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren, acknowledging that his team is the underdog in the game.
It’s a keenly awaited match featuring the exciting matchups between big men Greg Slaughter and Asi Taulava, and imports Zaccheus Mason and Dominique Sutton.
Joseph Yeo and Macmac Cardona have also been playing well that they are tipped to give Mark Caguioa and Mac Baracael another acid test.
On the way to their breakthrough fourth-place finish in the last Commissioner’s Cup, the Express pulled the rug from under the Kings, 97-95.
And the Express have continued to attract attention in the Governors’ Cup as they started their campaign with back-to-back wins over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (103-96) and the Barako Bull Energy (101-86).
The Kings, meanwhile, blasted the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 89-71, and then ripped the Meralco Bolts, 95-82.
Now comes the good test for both Air21 and Ginebra.
From a first-ever semifinal finish, the Express zoomed to a first-ever 2-0 conference start as they ran to the ground the Energy.
“We are playing within the system. We are using our advantage and strength. And everybody’s stepping up,” said Pumaren.
And as insinuated by the Air21 coach, the Express have a lot more to give.
“Sutton is still feeling his way in. He’s still trying to get his timing,” said Pumaren, also mentioning the forthcoming return of Sean Anthony.
Cariaso is saying they’re also in the learning process.
Nonetheless, the Express and the Kings are expected to figure in a battle. (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.
