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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Kings eye back-to-back wins in quick turnaround against Fuel Masters

Kings eye back-to-back wins in quick turnaround against Fuel Masters

Published Apr 11, 2026 11:50 am  |  Updated Apr 11, 2026 01:37 pm

At A Glance

  • The Kings are actually seeking back-to-back wins and improve to a 4-2 record though in front of them are Fuel Masters who looked formidable through their first five games with a similar 3-2 slate.

Focus is on rest and recovery as Barangay Ginebra quickly turns its attention to Phoenix just a day after its Manila Clasico rivalry with Magnolia. 

And while the schedule is surely a challenge to head coach Tim Cone and his wards, the multi-titled mentor deemed it was actually beneficial for the Kings as they try to generate momentum and prepare themselves for the playoffs. 

“The biggest thing for us was to get momentum in this conference. Hopefully, we can get back-to-back wins. We know it's hard, but we're working on it,” said Cone ahead of Ginebra’s crucial clash with Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, April 12.

The Kings are actually seeking back-to-back wins and improve to a 4-2 record, though in front of them are the Fuel Masters who looked formidable through their first five games with a similar 3-2 slate. 

“It’ll be my first official game against Charles, and it'll be interesting. He's a good friend of mine, and it'll be interesting to go against him in the next game,” Cone commented on the next game. 

What worries the veteran bench tactician is whether they have enough legs to keep up with the Fuel Masters, having to play his key players in heavy minutes in the 91-89 squeaker against the Hotshots. 

“It's tough because, yes, it's a quick turnaround. We had to play heavy minutes for our guys tonight to quit squeaking this game in,” said Cone. 

“It's really about rest and rehab and recovery for us tomorrow.We call it the three R's, and we got to figure that out. But this is what we do in the playoffs, so it's good practice for us for the playoffs,” he added. 

James Dickey III, Ricci Rivero, Jason Perkins and Kai Ballungay should offer a challenge to the Kings led by RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee. 

Meanwhile in the first offering at 5:15 p.m. the Beermen and the Hotshots try to put their playoff bid back on track. 

SMB, like Magnolia, is licking its wounds after a 116-112 loss to Rain or Shine – a game that saw the Beermen climb back from 25 points down only to lose in the waning seconds.

Related Tags

Tim Cone Barangay Ginebra Phoenix Fuel Masters PBA PBA Commissioner\'s Cup
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