A PAIR of Game Threes cap off the quarterfinals of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup, as Converge wages war with Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra does battle Meralco before the league takes a break to give way to the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
Here are some keys in what is expected to be a thrilling double-header.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. CONVERGE
When: Sunday, February 9. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
What they are aiming for
Rain or Shine is gunning for its third straight semifinals appearance after the 2024 Philippine Cup and 2024 Governors’ Cup. Converge is eyeing its first-ever semifinals in franchise history after its campaign ended in the quarterfinals the past four times.
Guards vs. Bigs
Game One saw Converge’s bigs dominating with Cheick Diallo, Justin Arana, and Justine Baltazar combining for 70 points in the FiberXers’ 130-118 win.
But the guards of Rain or Shine led the way for the team in the Game Two win with Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito, and Anton Asistio totalling 57 in the Elasto Painters' 114-104 victory. Who will assert themselves in Game Three?
Players to watch
Santi Santillan continues to have off nights offensively for Rain or Shine after scoring seven points in Game Two. But Santillan could turn things around after he grabbed a conference-high eight rebounds last Friday, an effort that can become a confidence booster for him in the do-or-die game.
Comparing to the performances of his fellow guards in Game Two, Schonny Winston was quiet on the offensive end with 10 points, but contributed in other departments by dishing out six assists. An explosion by Winston on offense in support of Jordan Heading and Alec Stockton could bring Converge to victory.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. MERALCO
When: Sunday, February 9. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
Ginebra looks to re-assert playoff dominance of Meralco
The Gin Kings have a 7-2 win-loss record in playoff series against the Bolts, and they will look to continue that mastery in Game Three.
Has Meralco solved the Ginebra’s playoff riddle, however?
Though the Bolts have mostly been on the losing end against the Gin Kings, Meralco has won twice in recent times, winning the 2022 and 2024 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, although Ginebra got back at them last conference in the 2024 Governors’ Cup.
Stopping their opponents on offense
Winners in this series were efficient in their shooting with Ginebra taking Game One by nailing 52 percent, and Meralco making 57 percent of their field goal attempts in Game Two.
With a lot more at stake, defense - which has been the calling card of both the Gin Kings and the Bolts - could prove to be the difference yet again in Game Three.
Controlling the boards
Meralco has been solid in rebounding the basketball, averaging 46 in the series, compared to the 42 normed by Ginebra.
including an output of 38 in Game Two, one of the latter's lowest totals this conference for after an average of 46 in the elimination round.
Who wants it more?
At the end of the day, both Game Threes will go down to who wants it more.
The winner of the Ginebra-Meralco tussle will face top-seed NorthPort. In the other bracket, whichever team emerges from the Rain or Shine-Converge affair will battle No. 2 TNT.
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