Gin Kings, Boosters seek vital victories today

Sister squads Barangay Ginebra and Petron Blaze shoot for semifinal berths against separate foes today as the elimination round of the PBA Governors’ Cup enters its homestretch at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings, one of three squads yet to win back-to-back games in the conference, battle the Barako Bull Energy in the 5:15 p.m. contest before the Boosters slug it out with also-ran Air21 in the nightcap at 7:30.

Ginebra will be coming off a 111-113 loss to Talk ‘N Text last Sunday in the first of its two chances to join idle Rain or Shine, B-Meg and the Tropang Texters into the next round.

The Kings, who are actually playing well,  need a victory tonight to avoid any complications in their bid to advance.

With a 4-4 record like Ginebra, Petron also needs to triumph, and the Boosters are expected to have an easier time against the Express, who are at 2-6 and, like the Alaska Aces, are out of the playoff picture.

As things stand, the Energy and four other squads are battling it out for the remaining three semifinal slots.

Barako Bull must sweep its last two outings, counting this one against the Kings, to advance. There is a possibility, though, that teams with a losing record may reach the next stage.

Meralco is another squad that has a shot like idle Powerade, with the Tigers’ hopes resting on a win over B-Meg tomorrow in Legazpi City.

Teams that advance will take their respective elimination-round records into the playoffs, leaving the contenders no choice but to play hard and improve their slates.

Mark Caguioa and import Cedric Bozeman, who are both coming off a 32-point night against the Texters, will again carry most of the offensive load for Ginebra.

Leroy Henderson and Willie Miller are the two prime scoring options of the Energy.