Tim Cone, the coach of BARANGAY Ginebra, believes that Rain or Shine will put up a fierce fight, demonstrating their determination to win this conference.
In a rematch, the Gin Kings take on the Elasto Painters following their August 24 loss, 73-64, in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

After defeating Ginebra, Rain or Shine has continued to thrive, going 5-1. Going into Friday’s rematch at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Rain or Shine leads Group B.

Nevertheless, Tim Cone anticipates and appreciates Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao’s attitude of not announcing his club as a contender.

“Coach Yeng loves to be the underdog, there’s no doubt about it,” Coach Cone said. “I think every coach loves to be the underdog. It’s hard always being the favorite and going out there. Perceptually, it’s better if you are the underdog. I think we all try to achieve that by being the underdog.

“I think your players play with a chip on your shoulder, they play a lot harder and a lot better. And there’s no doubt that Rain or Shine is playing with a chip on their shoulder.”

Cone likened the Rain or Shine club in this conference to the Sacramento Kings, who compete in the same division as the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In order to compete in the playoffs, Barangay Ginebra needs to win because it would tie them with Rain or Shine and, assuming the Beermen defeat Phoenix in the opening game, San Miguel.

Cone noted that for Ginebra to exact revenge on Rain or Shine for its first-round loss, it needs to adopt the same underdog mentality.

“I think we all understand that. I think we all understand that. I think coach Yeng is totally right on that. And I think that’s a great approach for that. And it’s a real motivating factor. It has motivated (them) through this conference. You can see that they are playing with a chip on their shoulder,”  The veteran Coach remarked.

On the other hand, in his debut game with Magnolia, SHABAZZ Muhammad scored a running shot with 8.1 seconds remaining to help Magnolia defeat Terrafirma 99-98 at the PBA Governors’ Cup on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Muhammad’s running shot sealed a wild game that saw the Hotshots pull off a spectacular escape and win their fourth straight game.

In a dismal manner, Terrafirma dropped to 0-7 as Kevin Ferrer’s desperate three-point attempt went wide.

With 15.6 seconds remaining, rookie Paolo Hernandez made a stepback three to give the Dyip the lead, but he gave up on Muhammad’s attempt to remain winless and fall to the Hotshots for the 19th game in a row.

Muhammad played just 23 minutes and 53 seconds due to foul trouble, yet he scored 20 points on 8 of 15 shots. Calvin Abueva scored 15 points, while Zav Lucero finished with 17 points and five rebounds.

Even after Terrafirma jumped off to an early 16-6 lead in the first quarter, both teams traded leads. However, Magnolia also managed to take a seven-point advantage, 54-47, in the third quarter. In the competition, there were 19 lead changes and 12 deadlocks.

Since then-Mahindra Enforcer defeated the then-Star Hotshots, 100-92, on July 15, 2016, Terrafirma has not triumphed over Magnolia, which makes the loss much more painful.

In Terrafirma’s absence, without Christian Standhardinger, Antonio Hester scored 39 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in what turned out to be the team’s greatest conference performance.

The Scores

Magnolia 99 – Muhammad 20, Lucero 17, Abueva 15, Ahanmisi 9, Lee 9, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Barroca 7, Mendoza 3, Eriobu 2, Reavis 1, Laput 0, Alfaro 9, Balanza 0.

Terrafirma – Hester 39, Ferrer 18, Pringle 17, Hernandez 7, Olivario 6, Ramos 5, Cahilig 3, Sangalang 3, Carino 0, Hanapi 0.

Quarter scores: 17-20; 48-44; 69-71; 99-98.