WATCH: San Miguel vs Brgy. Ginebra [2020 Philippine Cup | November 8, 2020]

One would think the Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel Beer match Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City would be a one-sided affair in favor of the Kings.

That assessment would be largely based on their last couple of games which has Ginebra winning two to grab top spot and SMB losing both of its games to be pushed perilously close to the brink.

Not so fast, according to no less than Kings coach Tim Cone.

“They might lose a game or two but they’re never in a slump,” said Cone. “They can turn it on so easily.”

Cone spoke after his side held off erstwhile co-leader TNT, 85-79, last Friday to take over solo lead and move closer to clinching top spot at the end of the 11-game eliminations.

A Kings win today and against Terrafirma on Monday and they would latch on to a twice-to-beat advantage over the eighth-seeded team in the ensuing quarterfinals.

For its part, SMB is coming off a 90-124 drubbing from NLEX earlier last Friday, a defeat that came on the heels of a 103-110 loss to Phoenix Super LPG just the day before.

That slide put the Beermen at seventh-running spot and in a must-win situation against Ginebra and NorthPort on Tuesday just to gain secure passage to the next round.