Ginebra, Rain or Shine jostle for better record

MANILA—Crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine clash Wednesday seeking better carry-over records into the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Even with the playoff cast completed as early as last week, the 7:45 p.m. game pitting the Gin Kings and the Elasto Painters still carries a lot of weight since records of all six semifinalists will be taken into the next phase.

After a single-round schedule, the top two teams will advance to the best-of-seven Finals. A team can still make it to the finals even without making the top two by winning four of five semifinal outings, qualifying it for a playoff for the second finals slot.

As things stand, Grand Slam-seeking Talk ‘N Text is alone on top with a 6-2 record, while Petron and Alaska have 5-3 slates and the winner of the featured game tonight will advance carrying a tie for the second best record.

Meralco, Powerade and Air21 all took to the exits as early as last week, but the B-Boys and the Tigers will have a chance to bow out on a bright note when they clash for nothing but prestige in the 5:30 p.m. opener.

In fact, the B-Boys have reactivated Champ Oguchi in lieu of Tim Pickett as their import.

Donald Sloan will play just his second game for the Kings, and a lot is expected from him as Ginebra tries to neutralize the effective Arizona Reid.

Sloan, who came in as a replacement for the injured Curtis Stinson, debuted with 21 points in a loss to Alaska last Saturday. But he will have to play bigger than that tonight in order to lead the Kings past the Painters.

Reid has been the most consistent import in the lot so far, playing effectively on both ends for the Painters, who are in the playoffs after failing to make the grade in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Gabe Norwood , Ryan Arana and Beau Belga are the others expected to play major minutes for coach Yeng Guiao’s Painters, while Mark Caguioa, Mike Cortez and the comebacking Jay-Jay Helterbrand will be the prime locals for the Kings.

Incidentally, Ginebra is expected to play Niño Canaleta, the former three-time Slam Dunk champion, in its game against the Painters. The high-flying 6-foot-6 swingman was acquired from Air21 last Monday after giving up former two-time MVP Willie Miller.