Despite handing league leader Alaska its first loss in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday, coach Tim Cone is in no mood to celebrate as Barangay Ginebra will face another tough opponent in NorthPort on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cone expects the Batang Pier to be in full strength when they clash at 7 p.m. with Filipino-American guard Stanley Pringle back and Sean Anthony returning to active duty.
The 6-foot-1 Pringle is coming off a stint with Gilas in the Asian Games in Jakarta, where he played a key role in the national team's fifth place finish. Meanwhile, the 6-4 Anthony will be making his conference debut after sitting out for his team's first three games as he recovers from a calf injury.
"With Pringle and Anthony back in the fold, NorthPort is a completely different team than what we've seen so far this conference," said Cone. "With those guys (Batang Pier), they are true contenders. It's our third game in six days so energy will be a concern for us. We know we have a battle in our hand."
The Kings kicked off the tournament with a 96-84 win over Columbian Dyip, before holding off the Alaska Aces, 109-101.
Justin Brownlee, the 2018 Commissioner's Cup Best Import, is averaging a near triple-double 39.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists this conference.
GlobalPort lost its first three matches this conference, bowing to NLEX, 123-107, followed by a 132-91 beating at the hands of Phoenix, before getting drubbed by Magnolia, 104-87, on Saturday.
San Miguel eyes second straight win
Injured June Mar Fajardo may not be around to help defending champion San Miguel Beer for the next six to eight weeks, but the Beermen are still favored in their matchup against the Blackwater Elite.
For one, Filipino-German rookie Christian Standhardinger has stepped up big in Fajardo's absence as the Beermen's 125-112 winning debut this conference over the NLEX Road Warriors.
Coming straight from the airport after playing for Gilas in the Jakarta Asian Games, Standhardinger suited up for SMB and scored a career-high 36 points, while pulling down 11 boards in the win.
The Beermen match up well against the Elite with import AZ Reid, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos also adding firepower.
The Elite can look to their 104-98 overtime win over TNT on August 24th for confidence as they head into their big game against the Beermen.
Starting slotman John Paul Erram will be rejoining the team coming off his stint in the Asian Games. The 6-8 Erram's inside presence will be huge as he tries to contain Standhardinger.
American import Henry Walker, along with Allein Maliksi, Macelo, Mike DiGregorio and Nard Pinto are also expected to play key roles for the Elite.