PBA Game Advancer

Barangay Ginebra looks to recover from two lopsided losses as it takes on slumping Air21 Express tonight as the 2006 Gran Matador PBA Philippine Cup resumes at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Kings are coming off a disappointing 73-56 defeat at the hands of sister team Purefoods Chunkee Giants last Wednesday. A week ago, San Miguel handed the then-undefeated Kings a 77-59.

While Mark Caguioa continues to lead the Kings in the offense, a major concern lies on 2004-2005 MVP Eric Menk, who has been hobbled by an ankle sprain and had showed three sub-par performances in the tournament. Rommel Adducul has been struggling as well in doing double-duty at the pivot position with Andy Seigle's season-ending injury.

Air21, meanwhile, is currently holding a 1-3 win-loss and tied with Sta Lucia for last place in the team standings. The worst part of it is that key scorer Renren Ritualo is nursing an injury, but it seems that he will play for tonight's crucial encounter.

After defeating Talk N Text on March 12, the Express have lost their last two games, including a heart-breaking 102-100 squeker against Sta Lucia last Friday.

Meanwhile, Talk N Text looks to carry on their morale-boosting win in Hong Kong in the first game against the Alaska Aces at 4:40 PM.

The Phone Pals defeated Purefoods 88-66 in the former British colony to tally their first win of the tournament. Jimmy Alapag, Asi Taulava, Willie Miller and seldom-used Chris Cantonjos played huge for the Derrick Pumaren-led squad.

Alaska, 2-2 so far in the tournament, won convincingly against Air21 via a 99-85 win and is looking for solid games from Tony Dela Cruz, Nic Belasco, Mike Cortez, among others.