WATCH: Merry Christmas 🎄🎄🌲
Victorious in each of the three previous Christmas Day Manila Clasico faceoffs, the Barangay Ginebra Kings look to stretch their run, though crippled with injuries in the 2021 edition of their famed rivalry with the Magnolia Hotshots.
Both stake unblemished records in the PBA Governors’ Cup as they clash at 6:45 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match billed ‘A Season of Joy’ is supported by the Quezon City Mayor’s Office to give joy to its constituents and pay tribute to the city’s frontliners, who continue to risk their lives and sacrifice their time and effort to make the city’s vaccination program and observance of health protocols a great success.
Ginebra took the 2015 setto, 92-89, on a buzzer-beating trey by LA Tenorio, repeated in 2016 with a 86-79 decision then made it three in a row in 2017, 89-78.
But forget those results as one can expect a battle each time these two teams meet – especially on a special occasion.
Both are aching to celebrate Christmas with a win and gift their fans a moment to cherish.
“The players are super motivated to play against each other and they know how important it is to the fans,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“I don’t need to motivate my players. Because of the hype, the fans will motivate them already, “said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.