Two-time defending champion Barangay Ginebra wants to continue its fiery start as it shoots for the solo leadership in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
In the final playdate before a prolonged break to support the National team in the second window of the FIBA Qualifiers, the Gin Kings (2-0) shoot for a third straight win when they take on listless Northport (0-3) at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the curtain-raiser hours earlier, San Miguel Beer (1-0) and Blackwater (1-0) square off in a battle of unbeaten teams at 4:30 p.m.
Currently, Ginebra is tied with Magnolia at the top with their identical slates, but the former has the chance to be in sole possession of first place leading up to the two-week break.
The Gin Kings got to business right away after winning two games immediately over the weekend.
The back-end of that was an impressive 109-101 victory over Alaska last Sunday night, where resident import Justin Brownlee continued his dominance, scoring a season-high 45 points to spearhead his squad.
“I’m just so good to have Justin,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who expects his prized ward to lead the team’s quest against the win-hungry Batang Pier. “He’s been leading us constantly and I don’t expect that to change.”
Northport has yet to list a win in three games as it struggles to find its mark.
In the second game, both the Beermen and the Elite are looking to follow-up on their positive starts, but are set to separate paths after the night’s end with one of them about to taste defeat.