Do or die for Ginebra, NLEX

Ed Andaya

Aug 2

Games Friday:
(FilOil EcoOil Centre)
3 p.m. -- Meralco vs. Ginebra
6 p.m. -- NLEX vs. Magnolia

WITH San Miguel Beer and TNT waiting in the semis, Meralco and Magnolia Chicken Timplados go for the kill against their respective quarterfinal opponents in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Meralco battles Barangay Ginebra, while Magnolia plays NLEX in a pair of all-important matches starting at 3 p.m. that could decide the next two semifinalists.
Victories by Meralco and Magnolia would send them to the semis and send Ginebra and NLEX packing.
But can they do it?
Acting Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo knows beating Ginebra for the second straight time is easier said than done.
"This is just one game, we need one more game," said Trillo after Meralco's 93-82 victory over Ginebra in the opener of their best-of-three quarterfinal series.
"As much as the guys played well you know what Ginebra's about. They're gonna come back hard," added Trillo.
"They've beaten us every series," recalled Trillo, referring to the four times the Kings beat the Bolts in their previous finals showdowns.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone is hoping his players have learned their lessons well, especially after their second straight loss to Meralco.
The Kings also lost to the Bolts, 73-90, in their lone elimination round meeting last July 13.
"Obviously they're doing something that is causing us some problem so we have to try and figure that out," said Cone.
Cone is also hoping to get another big game from Scottie Thompson, who led Ginebra's losing cause with a new career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hotshots are also hoping to duplicate their 98-89 triumph over the Road Warriors last Sunday for the 1-0 upperhand in their own best-of-three quarterfinals showdown.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said they hope to maximize their advantage in manpower.
"Na-overcome na namin yung mga injuries early in this campaign. Ang maganda ngayon, kumpleto kami. Everyone is healthy," explained Victolero, whose team has won its last eight games dating back to the elims.
But the Road Warriors of coach Yeng Guiao are not about to roll over and die, especially if Kevin Alas and Kris Rosales are cleared for return from health and safety protocols.
"Lamang talaga sila sa experience. But I'm not in a panic mode. I'm not worried," said Guiao.
"Tingin ko kaya namin balikan ito. Pag nakabalik kami, then who can say, baka makalusot kami." Robert Andaya