RED HOT Barangay Ginebra looks to build more momentum and aim higher while Phoenix Petroleum wants to secure its place in the quarterfinals as the two teams face off in an intriguing encounter in the homestretch of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
One of the league’s hottest teams, the Gin Kings (7-2), riding a hot three-game winning streak, attempt to win their fourth straight when they go up against the Fuel Masters (5-5), who are in dire need of a win, in an interesting tussle at 7 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City tonight.
by TNT.
Preceding that is a non-bearing game between already eliminated teams GlobalPort (3-7) and Blackwater (1-8) at 4:15 p.m. as both teams try to end their agony.
Ginebra has been rolling this conference and it can put the cherry on top of its ice cream sundae by winning its last two games, today against Phoenix and this Sunday against league-leading TNT Ka Tropa, and gaining the top seed, something it has not done for quite a long time.
Ginebra is already assured of a finish inside the top three and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.
Still, Gin Kings coach Tim Cone doesn’t want any letdown from his team, especially with the playoffs right around the corner.
“We need to keep our momentum going to keep our confidence high heading to the quarterfinals,” said Cone.
Phoenix is facing a must-win situation in this final assignment as a victory will send the team to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
It will be a tall order for the Fuel Masters as a confident and streaking Ginebra squad is standing in their way but they are motivated and would want nothing less than chalking up a big upset.
If the Fuel Masters lose, they will be in danger of missing the playoffs. Their fate will not be entirely in their hands with the performance of the other teams vying for a quarters spot helping determine their destiny.
Tied with Phoenix in the lower half of the top eight teams are Alaska and NLEX, which are both at 5-5. The two teams battle each other on Friday with the winner gaining a sure berth in the next phase.
Rain or Shine, which is at 4-6 and in ninth place, on the outside looking in, can still make it should it win its last assignment.
