BARANGAY Ginebra puts its three-game winning streak on the line when it takes on sister team Magnolia in the PAB Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Game time is 6:45 p.m. with the Gin Kings seeking a fitting follow-up to their 115-100 win over NorthPort behind another strong game from import Justin Brownlee and local gunners Jamie Malonzo, Nards Pinto and Jeremiah Gray.

Brownlee, Malonzo, Pinto and Gray combined for 84 points for the Gin Kings, who won despite missing the services of Japeth Aguilar and Christian Standhardinger.

Now, Ginebra hopes to sustain when it meets Magnolia, which snapped its three-game losing skid with an inspiring 108-95 victory over Pheonix Super LPG earlier Friday.

Antonio Hester made the big difference for the Hotshots as he finished with game-high of 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

The former Terrafirma import also provided the much-needed inside presence for Magnolia, which continued to miss star center Ian Sangalang.

“It changed a lot of our movements, especially ‘yung offensive schemes namin because without Ian, we don’t have any post threat,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

“That’s why we got this guy (Hester). to open up the floor, give our guards the chance to get their clear shots,”added Victolero.

The 4:30 p.m. curtainraiser will pit Blackwater (1-4) against Rain or Shine (0-4).

The Bossing opened the tournament with a 108-105 victory over Phoenix last Jan. 27 but lost it their three assignments against San Miguel Ber (86-105), Meralco ( 99-125) and Terrafirma (106-119).

The Elasto Painters, on the other hand, dropped their first four games to Meralco (87-105), TNT (100-105), Converge ( 98-112) and Ginebra (108-116).

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya