PBA: SMC sister squads square off

LA Tenorio is “grateful for another chance to play.” —PBA IMAGES

Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer want nothing more than to atone for their recent defeats and kick off a testy Christmas week with a win.

The sister teams clash at 8 p.m. Friday, each looking to improve on their standings and haul them out of the middle of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup field.

Ginebra’s 4-2 (win-loss) record is good for fourth in the current standings after an out-of-town defeat at the hands of Phoenix over the weekend in San Jose, Batangas. San Miguel has fallen to 3-3 after back-to-back losses, the most recent against unbeaten leader Magnolia.

Both teams are also dealing with injuries, with Ginebra missing Scottie Thompson in the last two games and Jamie Malonzo recently returning from an injured wrist against Phoenix.

San Miguel, however, has the bigger dilemma of being without June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Jeron Teng, Vic Manuel, Simon Enciso and rookie Kyt Jimenez.

First chance

But the Beermen addressed their manpower woes by acquiring Don Trollano from NorthPort in a three-way trade that began when the unassuming two-way player was shipped out by NLEX, which grabbed Robert Bolick from NorthPort.

Trollano will get his first chance to prove he’s a good fit in a San Miguel side that will play two games in three days for the second straight week.

San Miguel also battles TNT on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, a game that comes before the Christmas Day matchup with Phoenix.

Ginebra has third-running Meralco next on Dec. 22, then meets TNT to wrap up the league’s Christmas Day extravaganza.

TNT faces Blackwater also on Friday at 4 p.m.