BARANGAY Ginebra is back on the floor, looking to atone for its humbling defeat at the hands of San Miguel over the weekend. A new import will also be paraded in Wednesday’s PBA Governors’ Cup double-header.
Here’s what you need to know about the two games.
Meralco vs. Converge
When: Wednesday, September 18, 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Chase for No. 1
The Bolts continue their pursuit for the No. 1 spot in Group A even though getting it is no longer in their hands. Meralco won over NorthPort, 114-104, last Saturday to go to 6-2 in the conference. The Bolts, however, are still one game behind TNT, which defeated Magnolia, 84-82, last Tuesday.
Great opportunity for FiberXers to steal No. 3
With Magnolia losing to TNT on Tuesday, Converge's chance to secure the much-safer No. 3 spot in the quarterfinals has opened up. The FiberXers are now tied with the Hotshots at third with a 4-4 win-loss card, with NorthPort still hot on their tails at 3-5.
New import for Converge
Converge is coming off a 100-99 victory over Terrafirma where Scotty Hopson drained another game-winning four-point shot. Hopson though, won’t be around for game against Meralco as he has been dealing with hip and quad injuries for quite some time now.
In his stead, the FiberXers have decided to bring in a new import in Jalen Jones who, like Hopson, had stints in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks before suiting up for the Canton Charge. With Converge needing a playoff push, a healthy import might be what the FiberXers need at this crucial stage.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Phoenix
When: Wednesday, September 18, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Aching to make up
Playing out of character, Barangay Ginebra was humiliated by San Miguel, 131-82, to drop to third place in Group B with a 5-3 win-loss record. The Beermen were very efficient in the first quarter by shooting 68.4 percent from the field, which the Gin Kings failed to match for the rest of the game. If it intends a higher seeding in the playoffs, Ginebra must win against Phoenix.
Going for two
Phoenix has finally grabbed that elusive first win after beating Blackwater, 119-114, and now owns a 1-7 win-loss slate. It finally got the local support it sorely needs with RR Garcia, Jason Perkins, Ricci Rivero, and Kai Ballungay scoring in double-figures.
The Fuel Masters actually still have a very slim chance of making it to the quarterfinals, but a loss to Ginebra will end all those hopes.
Players to watch
Ballungay played his best game of his young PBA career by scoring 12 points and shooting 5-of-5 from the field in just 16 minutes, while also showing his athleticism by converting two dunks. Ballungay may be matched up with another athletic, but definitely more experienced player in Japeth Aguilar.
Stephen Holt was a non-factor against San Miguel when he shot just 1-of-8 from the field and only finished with three points. Holt’s offense was sorely missed, and his presence at both ends will be needed after that 49-point defeat and Phoenix import Brandone Francis having that ability to score in bunches.
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