STREAKING teams Barangay Ginebra and Blackwater aim to keep their favorable runs alive as they face separate opponents in the continuation of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
The red-hot Gin Kings (4-1) eye a fourth straight win and a piece of the tournament lead when they face lowly Phoenix (2-6) at 7 p.m. in an intriguing encounter at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.
Blackwater (3-3), another team on the rise, also looks to win a fourth straight game, but it takes on a tough challenge from TNT KaTropa (3-2) at 4:14 p.m. in the opening tussle.
Defending champion Ginebra is reminding everyone why it is one of the teams to beat, racking up four straight victories after dropping its opening assignment.
The Gin Kings can tie Meralco (5-1) in first place should they keep their winning streak going and beat Phoenix.
Continuing its impressive showing, Ginebra crushed Alaska, 94-80, last Saturday in Cebu City in a comfortable wire-to-wire, out-of-town victory.
The well-oiled core of LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, Joe Devance and import Justin Brownlee is clicking on all cylinders at this point as the team ascends in the standings.
While everything is going the Gin Kings’ way, the same can’t be said of the Fuel Masters, who have lost six straight games since winning their first two assignments to open the tournament.
Phoenix was outclassed by TNT, 100-81, in its last game last Friday as it was unable to end its agony.
After acquiring returning import Henry Walker, the Elite suddenly became a completely different team.
Blackwater found a new swagger in its game and is still yet to be beaten since Walker’s arrival.
It came through with a tough 111-106 double-overtime triumph against the Aces last week in its last battle.
The Tropang Texters are so far having a roller-coaster campaign, but they were able to gain steam in their last victory over the Fuel Masters.
It is a crucial tilt between Blackwater and TNT KaTropa as the victor will be able to keep in step with the teams in the upper echelon, while the loser, on the other hand, will be in a tough position in the lower half of the race.