Barako Bull, Ginebra battle in crucial tiff; Petron, Air 21 clash

AKTV/Leslie Sy

Barako Bull and Barangay Ginebra face off in a very important tussle while Petron Blaze battles ousted Air 21 in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy and the Kings meet in the opener at 5:15 p.m. in a game that could determine their semis fate while the Boosters try to secure a spot in the semis with a victory against the Express at 7:30 p.m.

“This is a must-win for us,” said Barako Bull mentor Junel Baculi whose team holds a 3-4 mark and needs to sweep its last two assignments to secure a spot in the top six.

“Our fate is on us. We have to execute our game plan to perfection and limit the production of their guards especially (Mark) Caguioa,” Baculi added.

Caguioa had a personal conference-high of 32 markers in Ginebra’s 113-111 defeat to Talk ‘N Text last Sunday that denied the Kings an outright berth in the next round.

Ginebra is now carrying a 4-4 mark and a win would put them in a better spot while a loss could put them in a precarious situation.

“We just have to keep it simple. We win, we avoid any complication. We have to play all out,” said Kings coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Baculi’s Energy are coming off a long break after losing to the Tropang Texters, 89-109, to slide down in the standings at 3-4.

Against Ginebra, Baculi knows their opponent is also in a must-win scenario and they need to match the Kings’ intensity.

“We have to play above distractions, have mental toughness and bring our A-game. We haven’t had an A-game for a long time now,” he said.

In the main game, the Boosters (4-4) try to avoid a possible playoff for the No. 6 spot as they attempt to put away the eliminated Express (2-6).

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