CONVERGE and Barangay Ginebra will look to advance to the semifinals of the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Game 4 is of utmost importance for the Converge franchise after moving one win away from its first-ever semifinals with a 105-89 win over Rain or Shine in Game 3 last Tuesday.
Ginebra, meanwhile, gets another shot at a semifinal berth after losing to San Miguel, 101-98, in Game 3.
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Here is a preview of Game 4.
SAN MIGUEL VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, November 6. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Holt misfires
After shooting 83 percent (5-of-6) from threes in Game 2, Stephen Holt missed all of his eight shots from that distance, a crucial one considering that the Gin Kings lost by just three. Holt looks to regain his touch in Game 4.
Extra possessions
For the first time in the series, San Miguel won the second-chance points battle, 29-15, uncharacteristic for a team that has the distinct size advantage with June Mar Fajardo, Rodney Brondial, and Mo Tautuaa. That coupled with continued better shooting from SMB would help the Beermen in their bid to extend the quarterfinals.
Has SMB figured out Murphy?
Jordan Murphy had another double-double in Game 3 but was not as prolific as in previous matches after ending up with a personal conference-low 17 points, although he grabbed a conference-high 17 rebounds. Murphy had to earn every single point after going 5-of-12 against San Miguel’s defense. Murphy’s scoring could determine Ginebra’s chances of winning Game 4.
CONVERGE VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Friday, November 6. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Juan GDL’s consistency
Juan Gomez de Liano has been the most consistent local for Converge in the quarterfinals, averaging 17.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. A big boost for Converge is Gomez de Liano’s 43 percent three-point shooting clip, up from 27 percent in the eliminations. Juan looks to continue his great play in Game 4.
ROS shooting woes
Rain or Shine is expected to be better after shooting only 35 percent from the field in Game 3. Adrian Nocum and Luis Villegas were among the players that struggled for Rain or Shine when they went for 0-for-3 and 1-of-7 from threes, respectively.
Converge in a 'twice-to-beat'
In essence, Converge now has a twice-to-beat advantage against Rain or Shine, only needing a win to secure its first-ever semifinal appearance in franchise history.
The last time Converge was in a ‘twice-to-beat’ situation was during the 50th Season Philippine Cup in the quarterfinals against Ginebra. But the FiberXers lost that advantage and eventually the series with the Gin Kings winning the two games. Converge can erase that stigma by winning Game 4.
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