COACH Tim Cone is bracing for an all-out war when his battered squad collides with long-time nemesis Magnolia Chicken Timplados in the first 'Manila Clasico' for the 2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup today, Sunday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Gin Kings managed to win their first three games to stay as one of only two unbeaten squads, along with sister team San Miguel Beermen in the season-ending conference.

And it looked like Ginebra's depth and athleticism were enough to get them by when they took control of the fourth quarter to register a runaway 115-100 win over NorthPort Batang Pier (0-5), who had ace guard Robert Bolick back in the roster.

But Cone is expecting an uphill battle for the weekend against the Hotshots.

'So far so good because we're playing our fourth game in fourth playdate starting tomorrow (Sunday), so we probably play the highest energy team in the whole league in Magnolia, which is gonna be a tough one to turn around playing again on Sunday,' said Cone, heading to their main game versus the Hotshots (1-3) at 6:45 p.m.

In the absence of big men Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar, Cone said they were creative enough to adjust with what they have in the roster, allowing Jamie Malonzo to play big and loose on offense. The athletic Malonzo finished with a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds in their win against the Batang Pier.

As usual, three-time Best Import Justin Brownlee was deadly, registering a triple-double of 22 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in another all-around game.

The good news is, the 6-9 Standhardinger could be back for Sunday's big game against the Hotshots, though Aguilar might be out for a few games due to knee issues.

'I think Japeth maybe out a few games, while there's a chance CStand can play the game tomorrow (Sunday) and if he does [play], obviously CStand is not 100 percent,' shared Cone, the league's all-time winningest coach with 25 PBA titles.

But the American mentor said the front court battle will be tough, considering Magnolia now has Antonio Hester as its import.

Hester, who played for Terrafirma in 2021, debuted with 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead Magnolia to a 108-95 ripping of Phoenix on Friday, to finally break into the win column after losing its first three outings.

'The first three games, we faced elite teams, so it was not easy. That's 50-50 chance, but the good thing there, hindi naman kami na-dominate ng kalaban namin because we had the chance to win the games. 'Yung breaks ng dulo lang eh di napunta sa amin against San Miguel, Converge and TNT,' shared Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

Against the Gin Kings, the mindset remains the same, said Victolero.

'Ang goal talaga is have a 50-50 chance against elite teams. We face Ginebra again, a champion team, and we want to make it that way na we have a chance in the end,' he added.