Kings face Express sans import, Miller

Manila, Philippines - The Barangay Ginebra Kings will have a job cut out for them as they play minus import Curtis Stinson and Willie Miller against the Air21 Express in the PBA Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Stinson and Miller, vital cogs in the Ginebra backcourt, will sit out the Ginebra-Air21 7:45 p.m. faceoff with bruised right knee and back spasm, respectively.

Coach Jong Uichico said they tried but failed to get a good caliber import replacement ready to fly in on short notice.

Uichico said Jayjay Helterbrand instead will suit up and probably play some minutes, depending on the game situation.

“Our preparation is there and we’ll be there fighting,” Uichico said.

Uichico and his chargers remain hopeful especially having won the last game they played without an import (David Noel) in the 2009 Fiesta Conference.

The Kings try to bounce back from their loss to the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in Dubai as they tangle with an Air21 team which is virtually out of the semis race with a 0-5 win-loss card.

“We are still going for a win. We’ll try to play the spoilers role,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.

Alaska Milk and Powerade clash in the 5:30 p.m. opener both gunning for a third win in six outings.

“The irony is after playing three good games, we are still fighting for survival. I believe, however, that it’s the kind of mindset that should make us more aggressive,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

“The key for us is how we respond from a tough loss and what we thought should have been a won game,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“Because of the loss that narrowed our margin for error and makes tomorrow’s (today’s) game a near knockout, it’s become a decision time for us. Are we interested in going to the next round? If so, then we really have to bring it,” Cone added.

The Aces have also played well in their last three games but were nipped by the Petron Blaze Boosters, 81-82, in overtime Sunday.

Except for Air21, all the other teams are closely bunched with joint seventh placers Alaska and Powerade half game behind B-Meg (3-3) and Ginebra (2-2) and a game behind Rain or Shine (3-2) and Meralco (3-2).