POD: Ginebra-3.5 (PBA) L

POD: Ginebra-3.5 vs. Sta. Lucia (3K units) L

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Preview: Barangay Ginebra, boosting of a healthy cast on the return of Jayjay Helterbrand from a two-game layoff, goes for a fourth straight win and a share of the lead with Alaska Milk as it squares off with Sta. Lucia Realty in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola will continue to play minus main man Asi Taulava as the Tigers clash with the Burger King Whoppers in a duel of struggling teams.

The Tigers and the Whoppers play at 5 p.m. then the Kings and the Realtors slug it out at 7:30 p.m.

Taulava has been declared out for at least two more weeks after he re-injured his right foot during practice a few days back.

“Against the advice of his doctor, he reported for practice. Things only got worse as Asi got hurt again,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes.


Helterbrand, the Ginebra ace guard, on the other hand, opted to take two games off to rest his bruised knees.

The 2009 MVP awardee returned into action Saturday, helping the Kings pull off an 83-79 win over the BK Whoppers in a Phoenix Fuel PBA road game in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Now only half-game behind the pacesetting Alaska Milk in the leaderboard, Ginebra seeks to finally catch up, looking to sustain its charge against Sta. Lucia.

“Sta. Lucia is a team that is getting its bearings. Hopefully, they don’t get it yet tomorrow (today),” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico of the Realtors who have lost three of their last four games.

“Ginebra is one of the best teams in the league right now. They’re playing well despite injuries to key players. We have to be solid on defense and try to match their intensity if we’re to win,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez. (Philstar)