SMB tests if Mahindra for real

MANILA, Philippines – Mahindra, the tournament’s surprise package, and defending champion San Miguel Beer dispute the solo lead today even as Barangay Ginebra and NLEX collide in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Off to their best start after victories over the Star Hotshots and the GlobalPort Batang Pier, the Enforcers seek to keep their surprising run going as they square off with the Beermen in their 4:15 p.m. duel.

“Our mindset going into this game is one of a playoff game. We have prepared ourselves for a war against San Miguel and our guys are ready to put an all-out effort tomorrow (today),” said Mahindra first assistant coach Chris Gavina.

“We’re looking forward to the big challenge and it’s a challenge we have prepared meticulously for,” added Gavina, who expects James White, Aldrech Ramos, Iman Zandi Mashaddy, Niño Canaleta and LA Revilla to step up to the plate.

The Beermen barely got away with their second straight win last Friday, banking on Marcio Lassiter’s game-winning trey to score a 94-93 squeaker over the Road Warriors.

SMB import AZ Reid suffered a mild concussion and sore neck from a bad fall in that match but CT scan showed nothing serious and is expected to be in harness.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and NLEX, which dropped to joint fifth with Alaska, Blackwater and Rain or Shine at 1-1 after losing their last matches, aim to get back on track when they collide in the 7 p.m. second game.

The Gin Kings absorbed a 100-109 overtime loss to the Alaska Aces last Sunday in a game that saw import Justin Brownlee cramp up bad. Brownlee spent a few hours at the hospital after the game to get re-hydrated but should be good to go tonight.