Ginebra takes on struggling San Miguel

DEFENDING champion Barangay Ginebra tries to get back on the winning track when it clashes with struggling sister team San Miguel Beer in the main game of the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, December 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Gin Kings enter the game at solo fourth spot with a 4-2 record.

FAVORED TO WIN Barangay Ginebra import Tony Bishop, seen here shooting over the outstretched arm Kemark Carino of Terrafirma, will try to lead the Gin Kings to their fifth win in seven games when they clash against the San Miguel Beermen in PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, Dec.15, 2023, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. PBA IMAGE 

The charges of multi-titled coach Tim Cone, who just turned 66 on Thursday, are coming off a stunning 83-77 defeat against the upset-conscious Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters during their road game in San Jose, Batangas last Saturday.

Ginebra will be gunning for a fifth win and a firmer grip for a top 4 spot when it tangles with San Miguel at 8 p.m.

The league’s most popular squad is favored to book a win considering the excellent plays it has been getting from offseason acquisition Maverick Ahanmisi and the return of Jamie Malonzo and LA Tenorio.

The Beermen, meantime, are struggling to keep their heads above water owing to injuries to June Mar Fajardo (fractured left wrist), Jeron Teng (hamstring) and Vic Manuel (knee).

Three-time PBA scoring king Terrence Romeo, SMB team manager Gee Abanilla said, is a game-time decision. Romeo has been out for nearly a month now due to bone contusion on his leg.

San Miguel, after losing back-to-back games to NorthPort (115-101) and Magnolia (94-90), is at joint sixth place with TNT at 3-3.

Import Ivan Aska could be playing his final game for SMB as the Beermen are reportedly bringing in a new reinforcement in NBA G League veteran Bennie Boatwright.

Meanwhile, TNT tries to build on its 113-97 victory against NLEX when it faces free-falling Blackwater in the opening game at 4 p.m.

The Tropang Giga managed to pull off the 16-point win after scaling a 22-point deficit early in the third quarter behind the magnificent shooting of Calvin Oftana and game-long brilliance of import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

At 3-3, the Tropang Giga still need to work extra hard to secure a spot in the playoffs.

So far, league-leader Magnolia (7-0) and Phoenix (6-1) have already sealed places in the playoffs.

The Bossing, meanwhile, will have to get their acts together in their last four games if they want to entertain the thought of even making the playoffs.

Blackwater has lost its last six games since opening Season 48 with a 113-97 triumph against Converge.