BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel has lost four straight games for the first time under multi-titled coach Tim Cone. Blackwater has suffered seven consecutive defeats in PBA Governors' Cup and 26 overall dating back to the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark.
On Friday night, the two equally determined combatants set out to restore order and end their respective slumps when they clash at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The defending champion Gin Kings currently stand in the fringes of the quarterfinal cut at 3-4, a far cry from the early days of the import-spiced tournament when they roared to a 3-0 start and stayed in the summit.
Cone's charges seemed to have lost their groove after opening victories over Alaska, NorthPort and Phoenix. They took an ego-deflating 117-94 Christmas Day blowout at the hands of Magnolia and then when play resumed after an extended hiatus, the Gin Kings bowed to Meralco (101-95), TNT (119-92) and San Miguel Beer (110-102).
In those four setbacks, Ginebra couldn't keep in step when their opponents went on a searing run and now found themselves in a big hole with four games left in their elims slate.
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Resident import Justin Brownlee, who has cracked the Top 10 of the PBA all-time scoring list among imports with his 40-point outburst against SMB, need to get more support from the locals led by Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson for Ginebra to make a major turnaround in its title defense.
The 6 p.m. game could well be their best opportunity to start it off as they're up against a Bossing side still hunting for that elusive win.
Coach Ariel Vanguardia's wards came tantalizingly close to finally tasting victory again last Feb. 12, undone by a major fourth-quarter meltdown that allowed Terrafirma to steal a 109-103 win.
The Bossing lost badly to NLEX in their most recent outing, 117-97, but that won't stop efficient import Shawn Glover and locals led by Javee Casio, Mike Ayonayon, Baser Amer and rookie Rey Suerte from believing a breakthrough is due and striving harder for it. (OL)
