NLEX tries to upset an undermanned Barangay Ginebra as the Road Warriors aim for a top 4 finish in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tip-off is 7 p.m., with the Road Warriors (4-2 won-lost) all buckled up to challenge the defending champions Gin Kings (5-1), who are sorely missing key players approaching the halfway mark of the elimination round.
Fresh from a fourth-place finish in the 2018 Fiba Asia Champions Cup, Meralco (1-3) tries to end a two-game slide against Blackwater (4-1) at 4:30 p.m.
NLEX scored a huge 124-106 win over Blackwater last week to halt the Elite’s four-game streak and give returning Coach Yeng Guiao a warm welcome from his stints as national mentor in the 18th Asian Games and Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Guiao hopes to share his international experience to his players as they target a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
“I was excited to coach just to get the feel of the PBA again. I have acquired many lessons and learning from the international stints that I want to apply to NLEX,” Guiao said.
“We want to stay in the fight for the top 4. And that win gives us some momentum going into the game against Ginebra. We need all the confidence we can get,” he added.
Despite a depleted lineup, Barangay Ginebra is still on top with Magnolia as its players continue to recuperate from injuries.
The Gin Kings survived the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 101-99, without Sol Mercado (knee), Japeth Aguilar (calf), Greg Slaughter (ankle) and Jervy Cruz (bone spur).
They are expected to rely on import Justin Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio and Jeff Chan.
The Road Warriors, meanwhile, have reinforcement Aaron Fuller, JR Quinahan, Larry Fonacier and Alex Mallari.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza