BARANGAY Ginebra and Phoenix Super LPG make their much-awaited debut against Rain or Shine and NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Still smarting from a disappointing 3-0 semis sweep by eventual champion San Miguel Beer in the import-flavored PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the Kings look to rediscover their winning ways and begin their redemption drive against the 0-2 Elasto Painters in the 7:30 p.m. encounter.

The Tim Cone-mentored Kings will rely anew on veterans Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo as they hope to pin a third straight defeat on the E-Painters.

The E-Painters were barely edged out by the Tropang Giga, 108-107, and dropped a 1117 -121 loss to the Bolts in overtime..

Phoenix, on the other hand, is hoping to continue its strong showing in the last conference.

Last Wednesday, Robert Bolick scored 16 of his game-high 26 points in the final seven minutes as NLEX rallied to roll back Meralco, 99-96, for its second win in three matches.

Bolick scored all but eight of NLEX’s last 24 points and added eight rebounds and four assists against one turnover in 37 minutes of action.

Enoch Valdez added 12 points and sux rebounds while Jhan Michael Nermal contributed 11 points for the Road Warriors.

Chris Newsome topscored with 22 points for the Bolts, who dropped to 1-2.

Raymar Jose added 14 points and four rebounds and Raymond Almazan piled up 13 markers and seven rebounds.

Allein Maliksi, who averages 26 points in their first two games, was held to only 12 points this time.

The scores:

NLEX (99) – Bolick 26, Valdez 12, Nermal 11, Herndon 9, Semerad 9, Marcelo 7, Miranda 7, Fajardo 6, Nieto 5, Amer 3, Pascual 2, Ular 2.
Meralco (96) – Newsome 22, Jose 14, Almazan 13, Maliksi 12, Hodge 10, Torres 9, Black 5, Quinto 5, Banchero 4, Rios 2, Mendoza 0, Caram 0, Pascual 0.
Quartercores: 26-28, 51-43, 64-72, 99-96.