Menk key in Kings outing vs Beermen

Eric Menk is likely to play longer minutes today despite nursing an injury as reigning champion Barangay Ginebra stakes its clean slate versus San Miguel Beer in the Gran Matador Brandy PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome.

Menk, who played for only four minutes in their last game against the Sta. Lucia Realtors Sunday due to a severe ankle sprain he suffered in their contest with the TnT Phone Pals, rejoined the Kings in practice yesterday.

"His ankle is still swollen but he’s a bit better now. Hopefully, he can play better because we really need him against a San Miguel team with a formidable frontline," said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

"San Miguel is much bigger now than our team following the loss of Andy Seigle. After Eric (Menk) and Rommel (Adducul), we don’t have a solid big man anymore," Tanquingcen added.

The Ginebra mentor hopes his young reserve crew continues to do its part on the offensive end since San Miguel has become more of a scoring team again with the return of Danny Seigle.

"We have to find an answer to their tremendous shooting. They have guys like Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros and Olsen Racela shooting very well," said Tanquingcen.

San Miguel displayed remarkable offensive game as it overcame Fiesta Cup champion Red Bull in a tough contest last Friday for its first win in the All-Filipino tourney.

Ginebra remains unscathed in two games and the Kings seek to pull even again with the Coca-Cola Tigers atop the heap in their 7:35 p.m. tussle with the Beermen.

Air21 and Sta. Lucia square off in the other game at 4:40 p.m. with the Express going for a second straight win and the Realtors trying to check a two-game slump.

The Realtors suffered a second straight defeat at the hands of Kings Sunday in a game coach Alfrancis Chua and team governor Buddy Encarnado felt they got the raw end of a spotty officiating.

Encarnado didn’t hide his displeasure on the officiating as he approached commissioner Noli Eala on his seat right after the match.

Sta. Lucia and Talk n Text remain as the only winless teams while Ginebra and Coca-Cola the only unbeaten squads in the tourney.