Gin Kings brace for tough Bol showdown to close eliminations

Barangay Ginebra is no stranger to TNT and its towering import Bol Bol, but familiarity doesn’t guarantee success as the two longtime rivals face off on Saturday night to wrap up the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup eliminations.

“We’ve seen them a lot — 11 games already? But just because you’re familiar with them doesn’t mean you know how to stop them,” said head coach Tim Cone.

The Gin Kings, already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage, will look to carry positive momentum into the quarterfinals when they battle the Tropang Giga at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Bol, one of the league’s most dominant imports this conference, poses a unique challenge for Ginebra’s defense.

“I think every team looks forward to matching up against Bol Bol, and we’re no different,” Cone added. “He causes very unique problems, and he’s got a good group around him. We’ll have to find a balance between defending him and keeping Calvin [Oftana], Roger [Pogoy], Jordan [Fajardo], and the rest of their guys quiet.”

Ginebra enters the game as a slight +3.0 underdog, with the over/under set at 209.0.

Earlier at 5:15 p.m., Meralco faces Magnolia in a matchup that could preview a possible quarterfinal series. The Bolts have won three straight, while the Hotshots have won their last two.

The outcome of these games, along with Ginebra vs TNT, will determine the final seeding heading into the quarterfinals, which begin on Wednesday.