Beermen, Gin Kings eye quarters edge as PBA action resumes

Games Friday (Cuneta Astrodome)

4:15 p.m. – San Miguel vs NLEX

7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Cup champ San Miguel Beer and Governors Cup titlist Barangay Ginebra resume chase of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals as they take on separate foes in the continuation of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.

The Beermen clash with the NLEX Road Warriors at 4:15 p.m. then the Kings collide with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and their new import Duke Crews at 7 p.m. with SMB and Ginebra both shooting for a sixth win against a lone defeat.

Their concern is their form and rhythm coming from another long break.

“It’s been a terrifically long break so we’re apprehensive as to how sharp we’ll be,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“Plus we’re uncertain of Japeth Aguilar’s availability because he has had no practice with us this week and hence no preparation for what we’re to do against Rain or Shine,” added Cone. “We’ll see if we can figure it all out in time for our game. But no doubt, our guys are raring to get back at it.”

San Miguel and Rain or Shine have the same issues with June Mar Fajardo and Raymond Almazan, respectively. Aguilar, Fajardo and Almazan were among PBA stars who served duty to Gilas Pilipinas in its SEABA Championship campaign.

Nonetheless, the Beermen, tied with the Kings at 5-1, are heavily favored against the NLEX side that has yet to win in eight games.

The Road Warriors are playing their first game since acquiring JR Quinahan and Larry Fonacier in a complex multi-team trade deal also involving GlobalPort, Meralco and TNT.

The Kings had picked up from where they left off in their return from a previous long break. They hope to do the same as they come out of an 11-day layoff versus the E-Painters and their import replacement to Shawn Taggart.

After dropping four of their last five outings, the E-Painters decided to recall Crews who has played with the team under coach Yeng Guiao. The team management rued that Taggart suddenly lost the energy and intensity in his game.

ROS strung up three straight wins over NLEX (113-105), Mahindra (99-95 in overtime) and Blackwater (95-88) before going on a slump with losses to Meralco, Alaska, San Miguel Beer and Star. In its last five games, the E-Painters posted a lone win over Phoenix.