Kings hope to get going anew vs Bolts

Games today (Ynares Center-Antipolo)

4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs Blackwater

7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Meralco

Game tomorrow (Cagayan de Oro)

5 p.m. – Alaska vs Globalport

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra seeks to bounce back from a loss the last time out to stay in contention for the Top Two as the Gin Kings square off with the Meralco Bolts in a crucial match nearing the homestretch of the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Ginebra and Meralco clash at 7 p.m. with the Bolts, on the other hand, looking to avert further slide following three losses in their last four games.

Newcomers NLEX and Blackwater face off in another important match at 4:15 p.m., both trying to find rhythm entering the last stretch of the elims.

Meanwhile, Alaska also tries to bounce back from a loss while Globalport goes for a follow-up on a big win over Talk n Text Tuesday as the Aces and the Batang Pier collide in a Petron Blaze-sponsored road game in Cagayan de Oro tomorrow.

“We expect a desperate and aggressive Meralco team. We cannot be outworked and outhustled or it will be a long night for us,” said Ginebra coach Jeff Cariaso.

Meralco, among the league’s early frontrunners, is now tied with Purefoods at seventh place at 3-3, three games and a half behind the Alaska Milk Aces (6-1) and the San Miguel Beermen (6-1) in the fight for the Top Two that offer outright passage into the semifinals.

Alaska’s upset loss to Barako Bull Wednesday night has kept the fight for the Top Two, and Ginebra hopes to pound the opening by beating Meralco.

The Kings must beat the Bolts then ride the momentum in their last three games against the Batang Pier, the Aces then the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters if Ginebra were to make the Top Two and gain automatic semis entry.

“We did a lot of talking these last few days. Now we need to walk the talk,” said Cariaso as the Kings slid to joint third with the Elasto Painters at 5-2 following a 77-79 defeat at the hands of the Beermen Sunday.

The Bolts are the decided underdogs, but coach Norman Black is hopeful they can pull off an upset if they come out and gut it out.

“We just have to come out and give a consistent effort for 48 minutes with dedication on the defensive end of the court,” said Black.

“As I told the team the effort we displayed versus Rain or Shine is just not acceptable. Even with that, we will have our hands full going up against a Ginebra team that is loaded in all positions. But I know that the ball is round for both teams, so if we come out and play with desire, anything can happen,” Black also said.