Three PBA teams set to do battle for Governor's Cup in Dubai

Sport360 staff 03:55 21/05/2015
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  • The PBA has always been extremely popular in Dubai

    Expect explosive action this weekend as three visiting teams from the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the oldest professional basketball league in Asia, play several rounds of matches at Al Shabab Sports Cub in Al Mamzar, Dubai.

    Perennial final contender Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are looking to notch their first win in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup as they take on GlobalPort Batang Pier at 20:00 on Thursday, and then hope to register back-to-back wins when they face PBA’s most popular team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Friday night.

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    “Expect very close games,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told Sport360. “GlobalPort are playing well and they have a good import who just came in to reinforce them. They also have Terence Romeo, who’s the top scorer in the league.

    “On the other hand, we’re struggling but I’m confident we can settle down, regroup and be able to carve a win. On Friday, it will be a more difficult game for us against Ginebra. I know they have a huge following here in Dubai and we will be playing against the crowd.

    “But I don’t think Greg Slaughter is playing – that’s an advantage (for us) and we will try to keep the game fast and quick so we can have an advantage getting into the open court.

    “It’s difficult to play back-to-back games; you have very little preparation time and your body is tired, but this is a character test for us and I feel we can pass the tests today and tomorrow,” added Guiao, whose team are down at the bottom of the team standings with no win and two losses.

    Ginebra’s veteran shooting guard Mark Caguioa said: “It’s always a good battle with Rain or Shine. We played against them in the quarter-finals (last conference) and we match up well against them. Hopefully, we’ll give everyone a good show on Friday.”

    The last time the two teams met in Dubai was in February 2012 and Ginebra won by a hairline, 89-88, also at Al Shabab Club.

    Ginebra forward and Smart Gilas starter Japeth Aguilar, whose father used to play in local basketball tournaments in Dubai, and Greg Slaughter are doubtful starters on Friday but their gung-ho and “never-say-die” attitude is expected to be displayed by the trio of Caguioa, JJ Helterbrand and point guard LA Tenorio.

    Meanwhile, GlobalPort will be parading new import NBA D-League veteran player Jarrid Famous. GlobalPort are in second place in the team standings with three wins and one loss.

    Filipino expats who are known basketball fanatics are expected to come in droves to watch the games. Ion Gonzaga said: “These are official games and I expect all teams to seriously play their hearts out, especially Ginebra and Rain or Shine who are both struggling in this Conference. Expect also us (fans) to cheer hard for our teams.”

    The PBA games in Dubai are organised by Clique Events and sponsored by Cebu Pacific, Bank of Philippine Island and Ayala Land.

    Clique Events operations manager Carlo Zozobrado said he is expecting a good turnout of fans as only 15 per cent of the issued tickets are left for sale at the gates on both days.

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