Ginebra faces Converge in Cagayan de Oro

A WELL-RESTED Barangay Ginebra takes on Converge as the Gin Kings resume their bid for a top 2 finish today, April 27, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra PBA IMAGE

The Gin Kings and the FiberXers collide at 6:15 p.m.

Over at the Caloocan Sports Complex, Blackwater and NorthPort try to salvage their own playoff hopes when they collide at 3 p.m. in a battle between two skidding squads.

Ginebra enters the game currently at third spot with a 6-3 record after beating TNT, 87-83, over a week ago.

The team, however, is still on the lookout for help at its wing position, although on Thursday, the Gin Kings signed up free agent David Murrell, the reigning PBA Slam Dunk king, which is seen by many as the first of several movements to boost the team’s wing position.

Murrell has the potential to blossom under the legendary coach Tim Cone, who has a unique way of drawing out the best from players who are considered “jewel under the rough.”

The 27-year-old Murrell has seen minimal action during his stint with Magnolia this season, and was eventually dropped in the unrestricted list, eventually, giving Ginebra a chance to dip its hand on the athletic forward.

Now, the Filipino American wingman has the extra motivation to play even better, considering that he’ll have the throng of Ginebra crowd backing him up when he is on the floor.

With two games to go, Ginebra is expected to go all out with victories in the top 2 spots that rewards twice-to-beat incentives entering the quarterfinals.

The Gin Kings face a FiberXers side that is eager to end Season 48 on a high note considering the team, at 1-8, is already out of the playoff running.

“We’re just going to compete (against Ginebra). We want to end this conference on a high note. We’ll do our best to defend. We have nothing to lose, just enjoy the game, just play our game and loosen up,” Converge coach Aldin Ayo said, whose team ended its eight-game losing streak to start the conference by beating Meralco on Sunday, 104-99.

Meanwhile, the Batang Pier and the Bossing have lost their last five games and a win could resuscitate their playoff chances.

But between the two squads, Blackwater could still reach six wins, provided the team sweeps its last three games.

NorthPort though has one game left in its elimination round assignment, making this game against Blackwater a must-win.