MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said they must play with consistency if they want to make a winning run. They hope to start it Wednesday against Air21 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
“We’re still trying to get there,” said Uichico. “Every game is going to count from this day on, so we have to get our act together and have an A-game every game. No time to relax and take things for granted.”
Coming off a rousing win over Powerade, 107-92, last Friday, the Kings try to improve their 2-2 record when they clash with the Express at 7:30 p.m.
Powerade, on the other hand, needs more than consistency if it wants to stop a string of lopsided defeats as it battles San Miguel at 5 p.m.
Since they will be facing San Miguel – a team also in dire need of victory – the Tigers must have to shoot well from the perimeter in order to have a chance against their taller and heftier rival.
Express and the Beermen have similar 1-3 records while the Tigers are languishing near the bottom of the standing with a 1-4 mark. Meralco is still winless in four starts.
Ginebra started the conference with a convincing 115-98 win over Meralco but they dropped two straight games – a 94-95 decision to Alaska and an 84-96 beating from B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados.
But with their win over the Tigers where import Nate Brumfield collected 32 points and 12 rebounds, Uichico is looking forward for another big win.
Air21 has yet to win since completing a trade with SMB that got them Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Peña and Paul Atadi in exchange for the three rookies – Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
The Express recently dropped their third game to Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, 99-102, despite having a new import in Alpha Bangura.
“It will be a crucial game. We need to execute defensively, because I feel Ginebra is a good match up for us,” Air21 coach Bong Ramos said. “We must stop their offense. If we want to stay in the race, we have to get a win.”
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
