MERALCO and Blackwater battle in a crucial face-off in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup but the spotlight will also be on Tuesday’s match-up between TNT and Macau that will be highlighted by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's comeback with the Tropang 5G.
Read our preview of Tuesday’s doubleheader.
MACAU VS. TNT
When: Tuesday, October 13. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
RHJ returns
Tuesday marks the much-awaited return of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to TNT in their game against Macau. TNT’s resident import was out for 10 months after he tore his Achilles during an EASL game with Meralco. RHJ comes back just in time for the homestretch of the eliminations as they fine tune their game against Macau.
Race for better seeding
TNT is in a tie with Converge for third place with a 6-4 win-loss record, and only a game behind second-running San Miguel (7-3) in the Group A standings. After the Macau game, TNT will be up against Converge on October 18, a pivotal match-up for the quarterfinal seedings.
TNT shuts down Beermen gunners
TNT’s defense has been the key in their first two games in the PBA restart including its most recent win, a 116-98 decision over San Miguel. The Tropang 5G limited George King to only 20 points, a far cry from his 34.8 average prior to the contest. Sharpshooters Don Trollano and Jerrick Ahanmisi combined to shoot 1-of-9 from the field.
On a four-game losing skid
Macau will look to end a losing streak in the match-up against TNT. But with only nine players and Hollis-Jefferson back, it is going to be a daunting task. The Giant Pandas lost to Terrafirma, 146-127, in their previous game last Saturday.
MERALCO VS. BLACKWATER
When: Tuesday, October 13. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Crucial duel
Meralco and Blackwater collide in an important match-up with playoff implications. The Bolts are at the bottom of the Group B team standings at 3-5 alongside Barangay Ginebra and a win will move them inside the top four. The Bossing are at fourth place with a 3-4 win-loss slate and a victory will keep them in the top four, one game ahead of Barangay Ginebra.
Recharged Bolts
Meralco plays its first game of the Governors’ Cup restart - and its first since a key win over Ginebra, 97-88. Nearly two months since that victory, the Bolts hope to continue winning as they go up against a team they defeated in the first round, 116-114.
RK needs to rally
RK Ilagan was not in his usual element in their 107-101 loss to Magnolia where he shot just 3-of-8 from the field, finishing with 13 points after a perfect 2-of-2 from fours. But he was only 0-of-3 from twos, uncharacteristic of a guard that was shooting 66 percent from that distance.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
