DEFENDING champion Barangay Ginebra expects the going to get tough against NorthPort on Wednesday when it guns for the solo lead in the PBA Governors Cup.
The Kings tackle a Batang Pier side that welcomes back main man Stanley Pringle and hardworking forward Sean Anthony in the 7 p.m. main game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pringle suited up for the Philippine team in the 18th Asian Games, while Anthony was down with a calf injury.
NorthPort is winless in three games but with Pringle and Anthony back, coach Tim Cone said the Kings will face a tough challenge.
"With Pringle and Anthony back in the fold, NorthPort is a completely different team from what we've seen so far this conference," the champion mentor said.
"With those guys, they are true contenders."
Ginebra has won its first two games including a 109-101 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Alaska just last Sunday behind the 45-point explosion of import Justine Brownlee.
But the reigning champions will also be playing its third game in less than a week, which is a bit of a concern for Cone.
"It's our third game in six days so the energy is a concern for us," he said. "We know we have a battle in our hands."
The first game at 4:30 p.m. will see San Miguel battling Blackwater in a match-up between two unbeaten teams.
The Beermen are coming off a huge 125-112 win over the NLEX Road Warriors in their debut game, but will continue to miss the services of injured star June Mar Fajardo.
The Elite also won their first game this conference, a 104-98 beating of TnT Katropa in overtime, although the team will be playing for the first time in almost three weeks.
Suiting up for Blackwater is national team member JP Erram.
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