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After 2016 Governor’s Cup Finals
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and Meralco Bolts are girding to bounce back from their respective skids as they collide in the 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup tonight at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo City.
The match, slated 5 p.m. today, marks the first time the Kings and Bolts will play each other since their epic 2016 Oppo PBA Governor’s Cup best-of-seven championship series that was won by the Kings, 4-2.
However, both teams are struggling in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference with the Kings at joint eighth place with the Star Hotshots at 3-4 win-loss, while the Bolts is at last place with a 2-6 record.
After winning its first PBA championship in eight years, the Kings now find themselves unable to find its rhythm this conference. The crowd-favorite squad comes fresh from a 72-70 loss to the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday.
After a 2-1 start in the conference, the Bolts has dropped its last five matches, with the last a stunning 105-92 defeat to erstwhile last placer Mahindra Floodbuster on Wednesday.
Leading the way for the Kings are Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Sol Mercado, Jervy Cruz, Scottie Thompson, Kevin Ferrer, Chris Ellis, Joe Devance, Mark Caguioa, Anthony Helterbrand, Aljon Mariano, Paolo Taha, Dave Marcelo, Jericho De Guzman, and Raymon Jamito.
Bannering the Bolts, on the other hand, are Clifford Hodge, Chris Newsome, Baser Amer, Eduardo Daquioag, Jonathan Grey, Joseph Yeo, Bryan Faundo, Jonathan Uyloan, Jared Dillinger, John Ferriols, Ryan Buenafe, and Kelly Nabong.
Also in the Bolts roster are Anjo Caram who hails from Iloilo City, as well as Reynel Hugnatan and Justin Chua, who are both from Bacolod City. Another Ilonggo Ken Bono is on Bolts’ reserve list.
This marks the first time the PBA will hold an official game in Iloilo City in a long time. The last time the USA Gym played host to the league was on April 2013 where the TNT Katropa defeated the Global Port Batang Pier, 94-84./PN
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