Games Today
(Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. — Meralco vs Petron
6:35 p.m. — B-Meg vs Barangay Ginebra
 
B-Meg prevailed in their only other encounter in the elimination round but Barangay Ginebra has been a red-hot team on a three-game winning run in the semifinals.
These all but square things up when the Llamados and Gin Kings meet today in an all-important battle that could prove pivotal in their respective bids to make it to the Finals of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gametime is set at 6:30 p.m. with the Gin Kings and Llamados bringing with them contrasting fortunes going into the game although they are currently tied for second place with eight wins and four losses each behind the pacesetting Rain or Shine which has a 9-3 record.
Meralco and Petron, both out of the running for the Finals, put at stake nothing but pride in their 4:15 p.m. game.
The Gin Kings are coming off an inspiring 95-86 victory over tournament leader Rain or Shine which was their third straight in the semis, just a victory short of clinching a playoff shot at the Finals courtesy of the 4-of-5 tournament incentive. The reward scheme allows a team, which wins four its five assignments in the semis, to challenge the second Finals qualifier in a playoff duel.
The Llamados, on the other hand, found their own bid to advance when they bowed to the Bolts Friday, 101-104, in a stunning reversal against a team which had nothing more to lose but pride.
With a 2-1 win-loss experience in the semis, they need a win to keep alive their bid to avail of the 4-of-5 incentive that would reward them a playoff shot at the last Finals berth. However, a loss would take any Finals hopes out of their hands, relying merely on the misfortunes of the three other teams still in contention to possibly make it.
“Honestly, I don’t know how many wins pa. But we have to keep focused on what’s ahead of us. And that’s B-Meg,” said Ginebra coach Bethune Tanquincen after the win over the Elasto Painters Thursday.
Given their unbeaten run so far in the semis, the Gin Kings are expected to rely anew on the leadership of Mark Caguioa and the steadiness of import Cedriv Bozeman against the Llamados who repulsed them, 96-88, in the elimination round.
Caguioa sizzled with 29 points while Bozeman had 19 points and 14 rebounds in that game. There, too, were Kerby Raymundo and Helterbrand who came off the bench and combined for 26 points.
A huge factor would also be Rudy Hatfield who has been playing tough off the boards and had 12 rebounds to go with his eight points Thursday.
But more importantly, Tanquincen pointed out that Bozeman was able to clamp down on Rain or Shine’s super rookie Paul Lee who was limited to 19 points. Tough defense also kept import Jamelle Cornley to only 13 points.
“Bozeman on Paul Lee, naging give and take yun. Evident naman kasi na kahit 19 pa rin ginawa ni Lee, mas mataas pa dun ang level niya e,” said Tanquincen.