MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings hopes to avoid a slow start when it kicks off its title defense in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup against Columbian Dyip on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Kings head coach Tim Cone hopes the Kings learned their lesson from the Commissioner’s Cup, where they bounced back from a 1-5 start to win the title.
“We were 1 and 5, and who would have even thought that we’d make the playoffs?” Cone said.
“We’re just hoping that we don’t get off to that slow start. We want to get moving right away, and try to see if we can sustain some momentum,” said the 21-time champion coach.
Kings veteran guard LA Tenorio agreed with Cone, saying a slow start is a no-no, what with other teams toughening up and aiming to unseat Ginebra from a two-year reign in the season-ending conference.
“From the start pa lang, we really have to make a statement na we are here to defend the title,” Tenorio said. “Lahat ng teams, for sure, they will be ready for us. And they have been playing na habang kami nagre-relax kami.”
“This coming conference, Justin (Brownlee) has no advantage na kasi same height, plus siyempre lahat ng teams for sure, gusto kami talunin kasi alam nilang defending champion kami ng Governors’ Cup,” he added.
The Kings will not have much change in their lineup aside from the activation of Arthur dela Cruz and Julian Sargent from the injured list. They have also let go of Raymon Jamito, who was signed by Meralco Bolts./PN
