The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel are in dire need of help early in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.
After being routed by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 108-89, last April 29, the Gin Kings suffered a 92-96 loss to the TNT Katropa, Sunday evening. And as per the case in every import-laden conference, the brunt of the burden — in the eyes of the fans — falls on on their 6-foot-10 reinforcement Charles Garcia.
Garcia is averaging 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals so far — a far cry from the norms posted by Justin Brownlee a season ago in the same conference.
But for decorated head coach Tim Cone, their woes goes beyond the import they chose.
“I don’t really know what to say. I know all eyes are on our import but I just feel like it’s more than that.
“Our locals are not playing well as well either, and we ‘re not just playing at a high level at this point. I don’t know. We always get to slow starts and I always wonder why we do but we have a lot to learn, a lot to teach on our system and we’re kind of vulnerable to that,” lamented the winningest head coach in PBA history.
On the other hand, there is good news coming for the Barangay.
According to Cone, Greg Slaughter will most likely be available for Ginebra when they take on the Blackwater Elite on Friday.
“There’s a possibility he might play Friday, there’s a possibility.
“He still has to get through a few days of practice and see how he is,” disclosed Cone.
Slaughter has missed the majority of Ginebra’s Philippine Cup campaign as he suffered a sprained hamstring. That is why Cone and his staff will take extra precautions with him once he gets back on the floor.
“Obviously if he plays, he’ll be in minute restriction. We won’t play him full minutes, probably play him 20-24 minutes if he plays the first game and try to work with him. Needless to say, we need to be very careful with him,” he added.
“Right now, I’d say that’s probably little less than 50-50.”
Still, whether Slaughter comes back or they change imports, Cone remains optimistic that the Gin Kings will find their form when it matters.
“We feel we’ll be there in the end. Obviously, we don’t want to fall too far behind in this conference, but we’ll find a way to get there in the end, I think.”
