Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia are turning another page to their storied rivalry when they face off in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup edition of their Manila Clasico on Sunday, Feb. 12.
Tipoff of the highly anticipated duel is at 6:45 p.m. with the Kings, despite their injury woes, looking to protect their unbeaten slate against the Hotshots who found some sort of resurgence in the arrival of new import Antonio Hester.
Serving as a fitting appetizer to the main event is the clash between Rain or Shine and Blackwater at 4:30 p.m.
Both Ginebra and Magnolia have the momentum heading into the game with the former riding the crest of a 115-100 victory over NorthPort for a 3-0 record in the standings while the latter is coming off a breakthrough 108-95 win over Phoenix.
A cause of concern, however, for Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is the health of his players as apart from the injury woes, they are also playing their fourth game in just a week's span.
“I think Japeth may be out for a few games, there’s a chance that C-Stan can play. Obviously Christian not going to be hundred percent,” said Cone, who, for the most time, relied on his small ball lineup anchored on his lengthy wingmen in Justin Brownlee, Jeremiah Gray and Jamie Malonzo.
“We’re playing small ball when you have Jamie, Justin, and Miah, we’re not that small but they are quick and they’re able to rotate with each other on defense and it’s a fun combination and then you got Scottie (Thompson),” he added.
Also the challenge for the Kings is to contain the Hotshots who finally found their groove on both ends of the floor following the arrival of import Antonio Hester.
“He fills that Ian Sangalang role really well that what they’re really lacking. That opens up things on the perimeter when you get a big man like that,” said Cone.
That was exactly the case for Magnolia when it finally notched its first win after absorbing three straight losses to open the conference. With Hester attracting the defense, Calvin Abueva made his work on the weak side while gunners Paul Lee, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Mark Barroca had more space in the perimeter.
“The first three games we faced elite teams and the good thing there di naman kami nadominate ng mga kalaban namin we have the chance to win that games pero yung breaks sa dulo di lang napupunta sa amin yun yung positive,” said Victolero.
“Now we face Ginebra, a champion team that is a 50-50 chance also. We want to make it that way na we have a chance in the end. We need to compete, we need to prepare and work hard for this game.”