Ginebra Out To Extend Lead

Crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel guns for a third straight win when it tackles Meralco in the first road game of the 38th PBA Season Philippine Cup at the Sports, Cultural and Business Center of Davao del Sur in Digos City.

The Gin Kings (2-0) and the Bolts (1-1) collide at 6 p.m. with the former out to put their controversial win over Rain or Shine behind.

Ginebra started its campaign on a high note when it downed newcomer GlobalPort, 110-90.

Although pleased with the perfect start, Ginebra coach Siot Tanquincen and his team know there are lots of things needed to improve particularly on the defensive end.

“We’re trying to build and get some momentum,” said Tanquingcen. “Of course, I’m happy with the results, but we’re still looking forward to our coming games, the tough games. Percentage wise, I think we’re at 60 or 70.”

“But we can’t really measure where we are right now after two games. Still have a long way to go. I think we can still improve, we can still elevate our game to a higher level, but it has to come from us, I mean, we have to work hard for it,” he added.

Asked if the decision of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud to suspend referee Jun Marabe would affect their game, Tanquingcen said: “No. We don’t have control over that. We respect the Commissioner’s decision. We’ll just take care of what we can take care of.”

Marabe was banned for 11 games after he “grossly erred in judgment when he assessed that play of (Gabe) Norwood on LA Tenorio to be a foul”.

The Kings are also expected to encounter rough sailing against Meralco, who pulled off a 93-86 win over Alaska.

Their win over the Aces enabled them to recover lost ground after absorbing a stinging 112-110 overtime loss to defending champion and sister team Talk ’N Text

In that game, rookie Cliff Hodge – the No. 4 overall pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft – had his first career double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

So far, Hodge is providing the energy for Meralco, which has inspired his teammates like Solomon Mercado, Mark Cardona, Jay-R Reyes and Ronjay Buenafe, who was recruited in the off-season following a trade with Rain or Shine.

“Our game is anchored on hard work on both ends of the floor. Whatever we lack in height, we more than compensate with our ‘we can get out of this funk’ attitude,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. “Hodge and (fellow rookie Kelly) Nabong are leading us in that department.”

“It really takes a gargantuan effort to subdue Ginebra. It is not going to be easy, but for sure, we will compete for the victory,” he added.

For sure, Meralco’s defense will focus on reigning MVP Mark Caguioa, who is averaging 20 points after two matches.

Providing help for Caguioa are newcomers LA Tenorio and rookies Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen, as well as mainstays Rico Maierhofer, Rudy Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, Kerby Raymundo, Allein Maliksi, Jayjay Helterbrand and Mike Cortez.

Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles