MANILA, Philippines – When they face off in the first round of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday, rather than at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, Barangay Ginebra hopes to get off to a strong start, in addition, Blackwater hopes to snap out of a losing streak.

The Gin Kings, who are the last team to begin play in the season, immediately have a demanding schedule. They take on the Blackwater Bossing at 6:15 p.m.

Against the Magnolia Hotshots, Tony Bishop as well as his colleagues lost 91 to 93 after blowing a commanding 26-point lead throughout their beforehand sequential game against the converging company FiberXers, which they had dominated 100 to 86.

Following their thrilling 107 to 102 victory throughout the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday, they will play the Intimidating in another lightning-fast turnaround game.

Coach Tim Cone worries about his team’s lack of preparation, particularly when they play Blackwater, who is eager to end their three-game losing streak.

On the plus side, though, coach Jeff Cariaso’s team is also in a hurry to bounce back after losing to the particular Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters 111 to 106 on Friday.

Strangely, it had become the Bossing’s third-place straight defeat following an electrifying 103 to 84 thumping game against the converging company FiberXers on November 8.

After losing to the Terrafirma Dyip 97 to 87 in their subsequent game, they conceded to the Meralco Bolts 91 to 84. This was the second consecutive defeat.

Following their thrilling 107 to 102 victory throughout the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday, they will play the Intimidating in another lightning-fast turnaround game.

Prior to their upcoming game, veteran coach Tim Cone publicly expressed concerns about his Barangay Ginebra team’s lack of enough practice time. This is especially true given that they would be playing a desperate Blackwater team that is anxious to end their current three-game losing streak. The bright side for the Bossing is that, despite suffering a heartbreaking 111-106 loss to the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters on Friday night, coach Jeff Cariaso’s ailing team is equally eager to quickly turn things around.

Strangely, after Blackwater’s thrilling 103-84 rout of the Converge FiberXers on November 8th, the day they originally made their entrance known, that defeat was their third consecutive lackluster performance. After that high, things have been going downhill. They lost their very next game, 97-87, to the lowly Terrafirma Dyip, and just this past Wednesday, they lost 91-84 to the Meralco Bolts again.

After two straight losses, Blackwater, who had previously generated a lot of attention, now had an even 3-3 record. Prior to this downturn, reinforcement Lester Prosper had become the league’s top scorer, and impact newcomer Ato Ular had also made a significant impression. But in order to lessen Prosper’s offensive burden going forward, coach Cariaso will be expecting more from his local roster assistance.

Japeth Aguilar, a versatile forward for Ginebra, started the last game but could only muster mediocre totals of 13 points and 7 rebounds as the Gin Kings were unable to establish a rhythm without Justin Brownlee leading the way. Even though Barangay lost the previous conference championship, they continue to hope for another one. Even without their primary reinforcement, Coach Cone is optimistic that his driven veterans will rise to the recent mini-adversity and quickly reclaim their high form.