Mark Caguioa. INQUIRER PHOTO
NO TEAM in the PBA Philippine Cup is in big trouble right other than Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
After adding superstar guard LA Tenorio and two highly regarded rookies in the off-season, the crowd-favorite Gin Kings are struggling unexpectedly and are two games from .500 near the halfway mark of their elimination round schedule.
And at 7:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum today, the Kings would have to come with no less than their A-game in order to finally get back on track as they clash with rock-solid San Mig Coffee to cap the league’s first three-game schedule.
Rain or Shine and Meralco lock horns in the 5:15 p.m. game with the winner gaining a share of second place even as Barako Bull tries to snap out of a four-game slide when it battles newcomer Globalport at 3 o’ clock.
The Ginebra management said that they haven’t pushed the panic button yet, but with eight games to go, it can be safe to say that they have a finger hovering above it already.
The frustration of players and coaching staff are evident on the floor, especially in a lopsided loss to the rampaging Alaska Aces last week which saw coach Siot Tanquingcen and reigning MVP Mark Caguioa engaging in a verbal tussle after the game.
Nasty rumors have also been circulating about the fate of members of the coaching staff because of a 2-4 record—and a four-game losing streak which forced officials to call for a crucial bull session last week to try to iron things out.
Caguioa remains the focal point of Ginebra, and rookies Keith Jensen and Chris Ellis are playing integral parts in the rotation together with LA Tenorio.