Games Today (Cuneta Astrodome)
4:15 p.m. – Meralco vs NLEX
7 p.m. – Kia vs Ginebra
Manny Pacquiao is expected to resume his designated role as coach when expansion team Kia goes for its second straight victory against struggling Barangay Ginebra San Miguel today in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel import Orlando Johnson needs the ample support of his local teammates if the Kings want to get their first win in the PBA Governors’ Cup against the Kia Carnival today. (Tony Pionilla)
Kia Team Manager Eric Pineda confirmed yesterday that Pacquiao, who is due to arrive today from the United States after losing to Floyd Mayweather in their highly anticipated bout, will rejoin the Carnival in their 7 p.m. encounter with the crowd-favorite Kings.
“Yes… malamang dumating siya dun. Malamang na pumunta si Manny sa game,” Pineda, who also acts as Pacquiao’s business manager, told the Bulletin.
Pacquiao won’t be able to play the rest of the conference after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.
But the boxing icon hopes to provide some inspiration on his team, which started the season-ending conference on high note last week with a stunning 83-78 win over San Miguel Beer.
Senegalese import Hamady N’Diyae proved to be a fitting replacement for 7-foot-4 Puerto Rican PJ Ramos as he posted 21 points, six rebounds, two steals and four blocks.
Alex Nuyles, who was acquired in a trade with Blackwater during the break, showed why he was a key addition to Kia with 18 points off the bench, while Asian import Jet Chang of Taiwan added 14 markers.
Assistant Chito Victolero, who acted as interim mentor during Pacquiao’s absence, said the game against Ginebra will test the team’s character.
“Alam naman natin na malakas na team ang Ginebra. We’ll give it our best since coach Manny’s coming back from the US. We’ll play our usual game, execute our offense and stay aggressive on defense,” said Victolero.
Ginebra is off to another slow start despite the entry of new coach Frankie Lim following losses to Alaska (108-99) and Commissioner’s Cup champion Talk ‘N Text (95-91).
Import Orlando Johnson scored 50 points against Alaska and 46 opposite Talk ‘N Text but needs more support if Ginebra wants to finally enter the win column.
A bit of controversy also affected the team the past few days after Lim benched Mongolian import Sanchir Tungalag against TNT. Sanchir scored eight points in Ginebra’s loss to Alaska.
Twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar remain doubtful starters, with Slaughter nursing at sprained ankle and Aguilar suffering a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, sister teams Meralco and NLEX clash in the first game at 4:15 p.m. in a rematch of the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals series won by the Bolts.