BARANGAY Ginebra will be tested right away once the PBA Commissioner's Cup resumes on Sunday.
No less than defending champion San Miguel Beer is waiting at the opposite end of the court for the Kings in the first meeting between the two teams since the Governors' Cup semifinals, where Ginebra dispatched the Beermen in six games.
And coach Tim Cone could only heave a sigh of relief the Kings are coming off an inspiring win against Magnolia, 95-92, going to their Jan. 5 showdown with the Beermen at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings battled their way back from the depth of a 22-point deficit to stun the skidding Hotshots last Christmas Day.
"It's hard when you come into the game and be in a 'must win, must win.' That puts a lot of pressure on you," Cone stressed.
Sponsored content: "And we're coming to San Miguel feeling confident and comfortable with our game, we do that, and we usually perform pretty well against them."
The Kings' second straight win put them in the middle of the standings at 4-2, two notches above the Beermen who carry an even 3-3 slate.
Unlike Ginebra though, San Miguel is coming off a tough overtime loss against guest team Eastern, 99-91.
Cone admitted there's less pressure on Ginebra's part facing San Miguel coming off a morale-boosting win.
"It takes a little bit off pressure on us because we remain towards the group on top, because if we lost, we would drop down to the middle or the bottom. So it takes the pressure off us," he said.
Sponsored content: "But when we come in having to win a must win, it's really tough against a team as talented as San Miguel."
Still, the Kings are not looking past the reigning champions.
"Coming off the break, we've got San Miguel. So it doesn't get any easier," added Cone. (RG)
