BASKETBALL – THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams playing the league’s first-ever official games in Bahrain are not taking things lightly, with both contests this week having significant implications on their quarter-final bids in the PBA’s current conference.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are all set to feature in the PBA’s historic foray in the kingdom.
The Elasto Painters will be taking to the hardwood twice, first this evening against the Hotshots and again on Wednesday against Barangay Ginebra.
While the PBA’s star players are eager to put on a show for Bahrain’s basketball-loving Filipino community, they are also jostling for position on the standings in the league’s ongoing Philippine Cup. All three sides – each of whom have two games remaining in their preliminary round schedules – are currently on track to advance to the conference’s elite eight, where the top four will have a twice-to-beat advantage in their to-be-determined match-ups.
The Elasto Painters and Hotshots are both in the running for those berths, while Barangay Ginebra also still have a chance but are further back on the table.
“Every game counts this conference – every point, every win is important,” Elasto Painters assistant coach Mike Buendia told the GDN last night on the sidelines of a fan-engagement event at Oasis Mall in Juffair that attracted a huge crowd.
“It’s crazy the parity in the league from one to eight right now,” Hotshots team governor Jason Webb told the GDN. “Number eight today can make it to the top four, and number three today can be out by tomorrow, so it is very fluid at the moment. Every game is important, especially for us.”
The Elasto Painters and Hotshots lock horns at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town tonight in a contest scheduled for a 7pm tip-off. The Elasto Painters currently boast a 7-2 win-loss record in second place on the Philippine Cup standings, while the Hotshots are third at 6-3.
The PBA teams have another challenge ahead of them in Bahrain – making the quick transition to a new time zone and playing venue with limited preparation time, having only arrived on the island on Saturday night.
“We adjust our practices and our schedule, and coach Yeng (Guiao) makes it a point for everyone to have more rest in preparation for our games,” Buendia added. “Hopefully, we can execute and play well here.”
Webb commented: “We had a show of hands of our players who have had an opportunity like this where you travel and have to play a game immediately, and it was a minority of the team. The coaching staff told the players that we’re going to have to find a way to adjust, and whatever you feel, that’s the same thing that the other side is going through as well.
“Whoever wants it more is going to get it. We are all really good teams playing here, and Bahrain is very lucky to have these three teams here this week.”
Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, who is also the head tactician of the Philippines’ senior men’s basketball national team, stressed on the importance of their fixture with the Elasto Painters Wednesday night. Cone described it as “a desperate game”, with their squad currently sitting eighth on the Philippine Cup table with a 5-4 record.
“Our game on Wednesday is really important for us,” Cone told the crowd during last night’s meet-and-greet, where he was serenaded by fans with a happy birthday song, having turned 68 yesterday. “It will have playoff implications – we need to win so we can make the playoffs.
“It’s a desperate game for us, and we expect (our opponents) to play very hard and fight to win. I hope everybody shows up and watches.”
The PBA games in Bahrain are part of the league’s 50th anniversary season, and they coincide with the kingdom’s National Day celebrations.
Those who have yet to purchase their tickets can still do so through a QR code published on the Bahrain Basketball Association Instagram account @bh.bba.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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