By Reuel Vidal

STRUGGLING Fiesta Cup defending champion Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings try to bounce back into championship contention when they meet the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 7:30 p.m. main game of the Motolite-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Burger King Titans and Barako Bull Energy Boosters try to avoid back-to-back losses when they clash in the 4:50 p.m. opening game.

Mired in seventh place with one win to show against two defeats, a loss will push the Gin Kings into a four-way tie at last place with the Alaska Aces (1-3), the Coca-Cola Tigers (1-3) and the Energy Boosters (1-3).

Leading the standings are the San Miguel Beermen (4-0) and the Sta. Lucia Realtors (3-1). The other teams include Rain or Shine (2-1), the Talk N Text Tropang Texters (2-2), the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants (2-2) and Burger King (2-2).

The Gin Kings bowed to Sta. Lucia, 76-80, last March 11 at the Cuneta Astrodome, with Sta. Lucia import Anthony Johnson totally outplaying Ginebra counterpart Rod Nealy.

Johnson scored a game-high 30 points to provide the spark needed by the Realtors to post the scrambling victory. Nealy could only cough up 18 points for the Gin Kings. He will have to step up his game to make up for the absence of Ginebra stalwarts Mark Caguioa and Junthy Valenzuela who are both still recovering from injuries.

Ginebra locals Sunday Salvacion, Jayjay Helterbrand, Eric Menk, Ronald Tubid and Rafi Reavis will have to pick up the slack.

The Elasto Painters will be looking to follow-up their nail-biting 96-94 victory over the Alaska Aces last March 12 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.