Kings hope to check skid with Daniels

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra has tapped another new import in Chris Daniels with hopes of checking its slide and salvaging the last outright quarterfinals seat in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

Daniels, a former Sacramento King fresh from a tour of duty in Israel, debuts with the Gin Kings as they battle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a playoff at 5 p.m. Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Kings drew ample time to practice with Daniels for four days as the league decided not to hold games tomorrow in deference to the presidential inauguration.

Daniels, a 28-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio native, was to arrive yesterday.

“We would have wanted to play Wednesday. First, we’re riding the momentum of a two-game run. Second, Daniels might still have a jet leg then,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Nonetheless, Garcia said they like their chances against the Kings.

The Elasto Painters are enjoying newfound confidence, thanks to the tremendous boost provided by former Ginebra import Rod Nealy.

Nealy got a near triple-double job Sunday to follow up a 41-point game two nights earlier as Rain or Shine topped Coca-Cola, 101-90, to get a playoff shot versus Ginebra.

The Elasto Painters stopped the Tigers’ unbeaten run with John Williamson paving the way for an interesting encounter between Nealy and his former team.

The Houston Baptist product had played two tournaments with Ginebra. He led it to fifth place finish in 2007 and returned to play seven games last year. He was then replaced by David Noel who powered the Kings to a runner-up finish behind the Gabe Freeman-led SMB team.