THE PBA comes back to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum this weekend with Barangay Ginebra seeing action against Meralco in the main game on Friday.
Meanwhile, it has been a busy past few days for NorthPort and TNT, and both teams will slug it out in an important contest.
READ Abueva lifeboat not coming just yet for sinking NorthPort vs TNT
Two players involved in the doubleheader are on a roll, and they will be on the spotlight for Friday’s matches. More about the games in this preview.
NORTHPORT VS. TNT
When: Friday, May 30. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
TNT’s hot streak
After a slow start, TNT is on a winning streak that now stands at four after defeating Rain or Shine, 111-103, last May 21. With the elimination round down to the final weeks, the Tropang 5G must continue to show their excellent form since they are still at seventh place in the team standings and will need more wins in order to reach the top four and gain a twice-to-beat incentive.
On the heels of trades
TNT and NorthPort face each other after pulling off trades with separate teams. The Tropang 5G are set to get Jordan Heading from Converge in exchange for Mikey Williams, pending approval from the PBA Commissioner’s Office. The Batang Pier also made a deal by shipping William Navarro to Magnolia for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and the Hotshots’ Season 51 second-round draft pick.
Shorthanded Batang Pier
Despite the trade, NorthPort will be playing shorthanded for the game against TNT with Abueva sitting out for Friday’s contest. The Batang Pier are already without Arvin Tolentino, leaving the burden to Joshua Munzon.
Pogoy on a roll
Like TNT, RR Pogoy is on a roll offensively, scoring 34 points against Meralco last May 11 and 35 against Rain or Shine last May 21. Pogoy has been efficient all conference long, being at sixth in field goal percentage with 56 percent. Over the last two games, Pogoy went a combined 25 of 39 from the field.
MERALCO VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, May 30. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Rivalry weekend begins for Ginebra
Ginebra starts a challenging close to the elimination round with a match-up against playoff archrival Meralco. The Gin Kings will also be up against Magnolia, TNT, and Rain or Shine in the next few weeks in their chase for one of the four twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals.
Ending elims on a winning note
After a 3-5 start, Meralco has clustered two straight victories including a 108-92 win over NLEX last Sunday. Another conquest by the Bolts will duplicate their eliminations finish in the 2024 Philippine Cup where they also took three straight wins ahead of the playoffs. Of course, that conference ended with Meralco winning it all, beating San Miguel in the finals for its first PBA crown.
Aiming for four straight wins
Ginebra is looking for its fourth straight win with its match-up against Meralco. The Gin Kings have won three straight but their previous victory was shaky, needing a game-winner by Japeth Aguilar to overcome Blackwater, 101-99.
Could be a low-scoring affair
Ginebra and Meralco take pride in their defense and that could be the story of Friday’s game. In the last two games, the Bolts have finally gone back to their defensive fortitude, limiting opponents to an average of 88.5 points. Ginebra didn’t exactly show it against Blackwater when Sedrick Barefield, RK Ilagan, and Christian David combined for 71 points, but the Gin Kings will have a chance to atone against their rivals on Friday.
Inspired Scottie
Scottie Thompson will play his first game since his wife Jinky gave birth to their third child. In their previous game, Thompson had to rush from Philsports Arena in Pasig to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa with his wife in labor, several moments after he dished out the game-winning assist to Japeth Aguilar against Blackwater. Look for Thompson to play inspired basketball against Meralco.
Cansino an added weapon
CJ Cansino shone bright over the past two games for Meralco, giving his team an added offensive punch by averaging 17 points, one of his best stretches of his young PBA career. The Gin Kings must find a way to contain him as well along with the likes of Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto.
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