GINEBRA FACES SMB IN PBA ON TOUR DEBUT

Barangay Ginebra makes its PBA on Tour debut on Sunday versus sister team San Miguel Beer, without head coach Tim Cone and several key players led by Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo and Japeth Aguilar.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Cone has yielded the On Tour coaching gig to lead assistant Richard del Rosario, so he can better help Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes in the national squad's FIBA World Cup preparation. Thompson and Co. will also be part of the Gilas pool that will begin training on June 7.

The PBA On Tour campaign will thus be left at the hands of Fil-German big man Christian Standhardinger, veteran Stanley Pringle, young wingman Jeremiah Gray, Nards Pinto and Aljon Mariano to lead the way.

The Gin Kings are seeing action for the first time since failing to achieve their target of winning a third straight Governors' Cup crown over a month back. Ginebra fell to TNT in six games in the best-of-seven title series.

Ginebra's 3x3 mainstays John Ubalde, Ralph Cu and Ralph Salcedo, along with JJ Espanol, Donald Gumaru and Kim Aurin are also part of the Gin Kings' preseason games.

Ginebra will be facing a San Miguel side that is also not at full strength as coach Jorge Gallent opted to rest his key starters June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, CJ Perez and Vic Manuel.

Still, the Beermen remain potent with Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz, Moala Tautuaa and energetic big man Rodney Brondial taking the lead, along with Allyn Bulanadi, Rob Herndon and Jeepy Faundo.

Meanwhile, Meralco tangles with Converge at the opening game at 5 p.m.

Both squads are coming off defeats with Meralco dropping a 93-100 decision to Phoenix Super LPG last while Converge bowing to Magnolia, 95-99.

2023-06-03T12:07:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd