THOUGH still healing wounds of another titular playoff setback, Barangay Ginebra returns into action, taking on Terrafirma to open its campaign in PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
It will be a long tourney, and the Gin Kings' immediate goal is to get a winning start while making the necessary adjustments on the absence of prized import Justin Brownlee.
Foiled by TNT in shots at the crown in the two import-laden tourneys, the Gin Kings now go for the league's premier jewel on their own, knowing it's going to be a rough road ahead not just for themselves but for everybody else.
And so it's important to build an early momentum and get as many wins as they can especially with the field racing for the top four that will gain crucial twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Scottie Thompson and his teammates shoot for win No. 1 in the 7:30 p.m. Wednesday mainer against a Terrafirma side driven by a desire to make good in its farewell PBA tourney.
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Lifted by that extra emotional gas, the Dyip drubbed the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 95-87, to start their campaign before reeling to back-to-back losses to the Meralco Bolts (80-118) and to the NorthPort Batang Pier (75-97).
Coach Tim Cone's troops will not be complacent against Terrafirma and will not take things lightly the whole conference.
"Maraming malalakas especially San Miguel and of course, TNT ulit. So I think it's a 50-50 chance for us. Actually, lahat naman ng teams 50-50 sa All-Filipino," said Thompson of the expected wild rumble in the tourney.
June Mar Fajardo and his SMB teammates and the TNT Tropang Giga will be fueled by their great desires to achieve their goals.
The Beermen are out to come out of the doldrums while the Tropang Giga will be chasing a great ambition of completing a Grand Slam.
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There's also Meralco which is going for a title repeat. And there's Magnolia which is determined to end its own draught.
"Masayang labanan ito," said Thompson. (SB)
