BARANGAY Ginebra and Rain or Shine go for 2-0 leads in their respective series in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Gin Kings beat San Miguel, 104-95, and the Elasto Painters defeated Converge, 124-120, in their openers, with the two triumphant teams looking to move closer to a semifinal berth.
Here is a preview of Game 2.
SAN MIGUEL VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, October 30. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Isaac tries to shackle June Mar again
Game 1 saw Isaac Go contributing to June Mar Fajardo’s struggles, with the nine-time MVP limited to only three points on 1-of-6 shooting. Go also did his thing on offense with his conference-highs 14 points built on 6-of-10 field goals.
Go’s presence at both ends bolstered Ginebra in Game 1, but it will be a tough task to do it two matches in a row. On the other hand, Fajardo needs to produce more on the scoring end to help San Miguel even the series.
Murphy out to dominate
Jordan Murphy asserted himself in the paint after going for 29 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in Game 1, and he will look to do it again. Murphy went for higher-percentage shots with his 9-of-15 from two points, as well as an efficient 8-of-10 from the foul line.
Need for threes
San Miguel converted seven of its 23 three-point shots in Game 1, sending it to its fifth loss in six games when making seven triples or less. While Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano got three treys each, Jerrick Ahanmisi missed both of his shots from deep, just the second time this conference he didn’t make any from behind the arc.
CONVERGE VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Friday, October 30. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Win got away
Converge lost Game 1 after Rain or Shine battled back from a 21-point deficit. The FiberXers won in nearly every statistical department, including a 20-13 advantage in points off turnovers and 22-4 in second chance points.
Converge hopes to close out the game, if it has the lead, this time.
Torrid shooting
Rain or Shine made that comeback through its outside shooting where it went 17-of-36 from threes and fours. Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, and Deo Cuajao combined for 10 of the threes, with Cuajao making the lone four.
Even more impressive was the Elasto Painters shot 71-percent from two-point range (25-of-35). It’s hard to sustain such impeccable shooting, but RoS will definitely try in Game 2.
Mikey fires blanks
While Rain or Shine was making most of its shots, Mikey Williams wasn't making his. On his 36th birthday, Williams only hit one out of his 12 attempts from the field to finish with just three points in Game 1.
The volume of shots means he has the go-signal to take them, and for Game 2, he must make them, as they could spell the difference for Converge.
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