Ginebra, NLEX to get ball rolling

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra and NLEX will clash in the main game when the PBA makes its much-anticipated return in a bubble environment on Oct. 11.

Although the league has yet to release the full schedule for the Philippine Cup in Clark, the Gin Kings-Road Warriors tussle will serve as the featured match of a double-header on “re-opening” day.

Ginebra, winner of the 2019 Governors Cup, and NLEX, the elims topnotcher in the same season-ender, will hit the Angeles University Foundation court at 6:45 p.m.

Sunday’s encounter will mark the first PBA game after a seven-month lull caused by the pandemic.

After missing Ginebra’s opening scrimmages in the Clark bubble, aces LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar will have some catching up to do in the team’s buildup for the coming restart.

Coach Tim Cone said Tenorio and Aguilar should reunite with their teammates, who have been in Clark for a week now, a couple of days before tip-off.

“They’re not yet here but LA is expected to join us on the 7th and Japeth should come soon after,” Cone informed The STAR yesterday.

He did not elaborate on the duo’s late entry in the bubble. The league’s deadline for the arrival of players and team officials is 11:59 p.m. of Oct. 10.

Tenorio and Aguilar, though, would have to get swabbed upon arrival and spend 24 to 48 hours waiting for the results isolated in their hotel rooms before getting cleared to join the team.

Tenorio, whose wife gave birth to their first daughter last week, is working out and doing shooting drills in a gym and mini court at his home Manila.

Aguilar is reportedly completing rehab for an “old injury” before packing his bags for Clark.

Meanwhile, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao underscored the importance of mental toughness as the PBA teams explore uncharted territory in Clark.

“I think the physical aspect is being taken care of right now (with the scrimmages) but the mental aspect is also something we have to hone,” said Guiao.

The Road Warriors and the rest of the field have been in the bubble since last week, and the excitement for the Philippine Cup resumption is building up.

But according to Guiao, once that excitement wanes, “the mental issues will start coming out.”

“We really have to be tough mentally and be able to cope with the stress of not seeing your family for a long time, not getting into your normal routine. But at the same time being focused and productive,” he said.