BLACKWATER looks to sustain its resurgence,while Barangay Ginebra eyes its second straight win - the major storylines in Friday’s PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup playdate at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Here is a preview.
Blackwater vs. NLEX
When: Friday, September 6. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Bossing go for third win in a row
Blackwater is seeking its third straight victory in its match-up against NLEX. It hasn’t been that long since the Bossing won this many games in one stretch. Just last conference in the Philippine Cup, Blackwater went on a 3-0 start only to lose seven straight games to bow out of contention for a playoff berth. Things are looking good for Blackwater these days with the entry of George King and rookie Sedrick Barefield already complementing well to the team.
Another strong showing for King?
George King’s performance has been nothing but superb. In their win against Phoenix, 123-111, last Tuesday, the Blackwater import lit up with 44 points and 13 rebounds in another scintillating display for the player who introduced himself to Philippine basketball fans with a similar effort against Barangay Ginebra.
First round encounter
The game will actually be the start of the second round for both teams. NLEX beat Blackwater, 104-87, last August 22. It was a different story back then with the Road Warriors playing against a Bossing team that still had underwhelming import Ricky Ledo. Needless to say, NLEX wants the same result, while Blackwater definitely wants the opposite.
Did NLEX get the rest it needs?
NLEX was coming off a 119-91 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Tuesday, just two days after a 112-108 overtime win over San Miguel in Cagayan De Oro. NLEX coach Jong Uichico offered no excuses for the defeat to Ginebra, saying they were outworked all around, but his counterpart Tim Cone said that fatigue became evident for NLEX in that game. Now, the Road Warriors will come back to the court on three-days rest, and will play again after five days.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Phoenix
When: Friday, September 6. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Still in search of an elusive win
Phoenix remains in a hunt for its first win, and it hopes that it comes in the fifth game. The Fuelmasters were dragged once again to the bottom of Group B after its 123-111 loss to Blackwater last Tuesday.
Back-to-back
Barangay Ginebra is now gunning for its first winning streak of the conference after that blowout win over NLEX, 119-91, last Tuesday. The locals came to play in their previous game, with Stephen Holt leading the way with 26 points.
Brandone Francis must repeat debut game
For Phoenix to increase its odds of winning over Ginebra, Brandone Francis must do something that is closely similar to his first game performance where he had 45 points, doing so by knocking down 16 of his 37 shots from the field.
Local support
Their previous games show how important the local production is to their team. For Ginebra, it garnered five players in double digits with Maverick Ahanmisi also exploding with 20 points and Scottie Thompson regaining his shooting form with his 19 points in the win. For Phoenix, only Jason Perkins was the other double digit scorer with 29, with RR Garcia having the next best output with nine in the loss.
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