With some help from the returning Greg Slaughter, Barangay Ginebra has come out of the rut the last time out.
The Kings now hope to pick up from where they left off in their 105-91 mangling of the Blackwater Elite on May 11 as they seek a second straight win versus the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Like against the Elite, the Kings will try to use their size to their advantage and create mismatches versus the Fuel Masters in their 6:45 p.m. tussle.
Ginebra outrebounded Blackwater, 52-43, and enjoyed a huge 18-point advantage in points inside the paint.
In his first game after his bout with a severe ankle sprain, Slaughter chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal against four turnovers in 24 minutes of action.
Sponsored content:
His team-up with Japeth Aguilar and Chuck Garcia at the posts opened up the perimeter for their shooters who responded with a 10-of-22 three-point shooting. Kevin Ferrer waxed hottest with five treys and a total of 21 points.
With their smaller line-up, Phoenix coach Louie Alas said they face an uphill battle against the Kings.
The Kings, however, are also wary of the Fuel Masters.
"Phoenix has played us very well over the last year, beating us three out of four times. They play us with a lot of pressure to counteract our size and that can create problems," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
"Hopefully, we've put some things in to counter what they've done in the past which makes us more ready. We need this game to keep pace with the leaders," Cone added.
Sponsored content:
The Kings dropped their first two matches against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the TNT KaTropa Texters before nailing a first win in the mid-season tourney.
The Fuel Masters, on the other hand, are at 2-2 with victories over the Blackwater Elite and the Magnolia Hotshots against losses to the Texters and the NLEX Road Warriors.(SB)
