Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will gun for its third straight victory when it takes on the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday (March 30).
Gametime is set at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, after the clash between skidding teams Phoenix Fuel Masters and Blackwater Elite.
The Gin Kings are currently tied with Alaska Aces at third with identical 5-3 win-loss hauls. A win against the Tropang Texters on Wednesday would enhance their bid to finish the elimination round atop the standings.
Right now, Meralco Bolts (6-2) and the San Miguel Beermen (5-2) lead the league.
But it won’t be a walk in the park for Ginebra.
Talk ‘N Text is coming off a 114-103 rout of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, a conquest led by no less than Jayson Castro. Castro, who returned after nursing an ankle injury, finished with an all-around game of 26 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.
Read: Castro shines as Talk ‘N Text thwarts Rain or Shine
Ginebra, however, has a riposte.
Its own court general, LA Tenorio, has been playing at full strength as well. In fact, the 31-year-old Tenorio is averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds.
He also came up big in Ginebra’s victories, including a game-winning jumper opposite the Fuel Masters over a week ago. In the process, the diminutive point guard tallied 17 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.
Read: Ginebra completes comeback, trounces Phoenix for 5th win
Meanwhile, Phoenix and Blackwater hope to end their misery in the opening game.
Both teams lurk in the cellar. Blackwater (3-6) is on a three-game tailspin, while the Fuel Masters (2-5) dropped two straight games heading into Wednesday’s tussle.
