BARANGAY Ginebra hopes to make its former player and coach Robert Jaworski proud when it takes on sister team Petron Blaze on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
No less than a victory against the Boosters is what the Kings will try to offer Jaworski, the league’s most popular player whose iconic No. 7 jersey will officially be retired before the Kings-Boosters 6:15 p.m. showdown.
“It’s a big day for coach Sonny,” Kings coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “Winning is the best gift we could give him.”
Tanquingcen hopes his wards, who also plan to honor Jaworski by wearing retro jerseys, would be inspired after the Living Legend’s jersey is hung up the rafters.
“I hope it would bring extra lift sa amin,” he said.
The Boosters will try to somehow play the spoilers’ role against the Kings.
“Kailangan rin naming manalo, we have a target,” Boosters coach Ato Agustin said.
The two squads are tied at 6-4 and are coming off victories last Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with the Kings zooming past Meralco, 89-76, and the Boosters surviving Rain or Shine, 90-88.
Kerby Raymnudo had his best game in a Ginebra uniform against the Bolts, scoring 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter where the Kings pulled away.
The Kings also expect strong showings from import Cedric Bozeman, Mark Caguioa, and Allein Maliksi.
Petron will try to play steadier this time. Against the league-leading Painters, the Boosters wasted a 17-point first-half lead and needed a late Arwind Santos putback to salvage the win.
In the curtain-raiser at 3:30 p.m., the Painters and Bolts collide, hoping to bounce back from the recent defeats.
Jamelle Cornley and Paul Lee will again spearhead the Painters, while the Bolts turn to Mario West and Asi Taulava.
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