The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings are gearing up for an important matchup against the Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Governors’ Cup. With a 3-2 record in the first round of eliminations, the Gin Kings are eyeing their first consecutive victories.
Coach Tim Cone and his team approach this game with caution, especially considering Phoenix’s new import, Brandone Francis. Despite arriving straight from the airport, Francis made an explosive debut, scoring a game-high 45 points. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent Phoenix from falling to Blackwater in a 111-123 defeat.
Coach Mike Jarin’s squad faces pressure to turn things around after starting 0-2 with their original import, Jay McKinnis. Additionally, they encountered trouble when import replacement Le’Bryan Nash exceeded the height ceiling in another game.
Cone hopes his team can match the determination and energy brought by Francis and his teammates. In their recent victory against the NLEX Road Warriors (119-91), the Gin Kings played with purpose and intensity. Stephen Holt, in particular, had a standout performance, contributing 26 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
The locals—Holt, Maverick Ahanmisi, Scottie Thompson, and RJ Abarrientos—all reached double-digit outputs. Holt’s stellar defense against the NLEX import limited their scoring, marking the first time this conference that the Road Warriors were held below 100 points.
Despite minimal contribution from Justin Brownlee, who played just 38 minutes, the Gin Kings secured the win with Brownlee adding 13 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
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