TITLEHOLDER Barangay Ginebra finally returns to play in the pandemic-interrupted PBA Governors' Cup, taking on tournament archrival Meralco Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings and the Bolts clash at 6:45 p.m. renewing Governors' Cup rivalry marked by three title showdowns from 2016 to 2019.
A big change in the matchup is Justin Brownlee's counterpart now in the Meralco side.
Three-time PBA Best Import awardee Allen Durham has brought his stuff over in Japan.
In his absence, Meralco took in an equally efficient and dependable import in Tony Bishop.
Sponsored content: The American-Panamanian baller has led the Bolts to a swashbuckling 3-0 start.
They're coming off a dominant 110-100 win over the NLEX Road Warriors Friday as they face off with the Gin Kings who are playing their first game since their Christmas Day Manila Clasico tiff with the Magnolia Hotshots.
Coach Tim Cone's troops had gone 3-0 before being stopped on their tracks by the Hotshots, 94-117.
And the Kings should be aching to rebound from that defeat, but Bishop and the Bolts stand on their path.
Meralco and Magnolia are the two remaining unbeaten teams in the tourney, and the Bolts are eager to get going.
Sponsored content: "I think we've found a formula that we can use to win, and it starts with defense," said Meralco coach Norman Black.
"Well, it has a lot to do actually with Tony Bishop being a very, very solid import and being consistent every game. But it starts with defense, the fact that we can actually slow things down and get them (their rivals) out of their offense.
"And once we control the defensive boards, it gives us a chance to run and once we start running, we have a better chance of winning," Black added.
From a long hiatus, Bishop powered his way to 32 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Bolts overpowered the Road Warriors in the tournament restart Friday.
And the team didn't lack support from the locals with Aaron Black, Chris Newsome and Allein Maliksi all tossing in at least 17 markers. Cliff Hodge contributed 11 markers and 12 boards. (SB)
