Momentum on Kings’ side

Barangay Ginebra and Shell decided to play it safe and abandoned their Green Meadow practice facilities yesterday to avoid sinister scouts prowling the premises but, lo, they nearly bumped into each other on the very arena of today’s big battle -- the Philsports Arena.

That literally gave them an eye-opener on what to expect from one another today. Or in the case of Ginebra, the condition of the injured Shell players.

There was Benjie Paras limbering up although he skipped the drills. But nowhere to be found was Dale Singson.

Singson isn’t expected to show up in the game either as the former UST ace guard in the UAAP is set to undergo surgery today to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Thus, the Kings will not only enjoy the momentum but also the advantage in manpower and whatever psychological edge it brings when they clash with the Turbo Chargers in a knockout match for the right to play the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Governors Cup semifinals.

Gametime is at 7 p.m.

"We know it’s not going to be easy. But whether we win it by 20 points or one, the important thing is we get it. Otherwise, masasayang ang effort namin last Friday," said Ginebra coach Allan Caidic, referring to their 97-75 rout of the Turbo Chargers that forced the rubbermatch in their matchup.

Ginebra simply took advantage of the absence of Paras and the early ouster of Singson from the game due to a freak accident that led to an ACL injury as the Kings foiled the Turbo Chargers’ bid for an outright entry into the Final Four.

So the Kings will have another crack at making it past the quarterfinals despite a low seeding in the playoffs. They have done it twice, the first in the 1999 All Filipino against Mobiline and the second in the same conference against Purefoods.

But Caidic doesn’t expect another easy sailing against Shell.

"I’m sure they have made adjustments in their game. Last Friday, alam ko hindi sila gaanong preparado dahil wala na silang time, having closed out their elims stint on Wednesday. Then, nabawasan pa sila ng tao," said Caidic.

Shell coach Perry Ronquillo, despite a crippled lineup, remains optimistic of their chances, predicting "it’s going to be a wild game."