BARANGAY Ginebra will try to complete what it started and pull the rug from under Converge in Sunday’s knockout affair for a place in the semifinals of the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup.
The fifth-seeded Gin Kings put themselves in a good situation by forcing a winner-take-all matchup for the semifinals back in Christmas Day. But don’t count the FiberXers out from another crack at a semifinals berth after they finished with the fourth-best record in the eliminations and grabbbed a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
CONVERGE VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Sunday, December 28. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
For all the marbles
Converge and Ginebra settle the score, as they return to the court for a place in the semifinals. The winner advances. The loser goes home.
The FiberXers were unable to capitalize on their twice-to-beat incentive after their 105-85 loss to the Gin Kings on Christmas Day. San Miguel will be an interested spectator, as it will face the winner of the tussle in the next round.
Juan GDL must bounce back
It could be a coming-out party for Juan Gomez de Liano if Converge goes on to win the knockout game.
The FiberXers rookie was limited to only nine points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field, not the usual numbers that he was able to produce all conference long.
More trips to the foul line
In order for Converge to have a chance, it must find a way to go the line more often than on Christmas Day. The FiberXers were a measly 7-of-9 from the free throw line, not the kind of numbers that you usually see from a team that has its inside game as one of its weapons. Justin Arana was one of those who didn’t make a trip to the foul line and eventually ended up with only six points, four rebounds, and six assists.
Ginebra, on the other hand, hit its free throws, missing only four of 23 attempts.
Scottie’s aggressiveness
'Playoff Scottie' emerged on Christmas Day when he came up with a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Another similar type of game from Thompson could spell the difference for Ginebra.
Game could go down to outside shooting
A big reason for Ginebra’s victory on Christmas Day was its outside shots. On his way to a 35-point night, RJ Abarrientos knocked down six of his eight three-point shots.
But he was not alone in making threes. Ralph Cu was unheralded in the Gin Kings' win by making two of his four threes, with Stephen Holt also knocking down a pair.
That is in contrast to Converge, which connected on just four of its 24 three-point attempts, with Juan GDL, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston combining for 3-of-12 from the closer arc.
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