Kings battle resurgent Aces

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra tries to come out strong from a nine-day break as it battles a resurgent Alaska Milk tonight even as Air21 and Meralco clash in a duel of struggling teams in the 36th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Filipino Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings are currently in solo third with a 5-2 (win-loss) slate with a victory in their 6:30 p.m. showdown with the Aces giving them a piece of second with the Talk n Text Phone Pals (6-2) while inching closer to the league-leading San Miguel Beermen (7-2).

But Alaska is coming off a big 96-67 rout of Powerade last Wednesday, putting the Aces back on track after dropping their last four games for joint fourth with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico is hoping the long rest his team took would fire up the Kings instead of slowing them down against a team noted for its tough defense.

The Kings absorbed an embarrassing 81-107 beating from Air21 the last time they saw action last Nov. 5.

Alaska coach Tim Cone, however, remains wary of the Kings, who boast of talented players in former Ace Willie Miller, Ronald Rubid, Mark Caguioa, Jay Jay Helterbrand and JC Intal.

“That’s a lot of quick, talented players there,” said Cone.

In the other match, Meralco and Air21, in joint seventh with 3-5 slates, collide at 4 p.m. with the winner joining a streaking B-Meg Derby, which won its last three games for a 4-5 card.