CHRISTMAS Day means a doubleheader for the PBA with the biggest rivalry game of the league serving as the showcase match-up for the special occasion. It also marks as the league's first visit at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum for the conference.
Meanwhile, two teams will also make their debut in the Christmas Day games.
Here’s a preview of the doubleheader.
MERALCO VS. CONVERGE
When: Wednesday, December 25. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
First Christmas Day game in franchise history
Meralco and Converge are set to play on Christmas Day for the first time in their history, proof of how the schedule makers feel about the two teams based on their recent performance. The Bolts earned their way to a Christmas Day game following their 2024 Philippine Cup title, while the FiberXers’ are starting to become a competitive team following their build-up for the 49th season.
Converge on a high
After a seesaw start to the conference, the FiberXers have now won three straight games, the latest a huge 98-81 win over Barangay Ginebra last Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center. The good thing for the FiberXers in their current stretch is that different players have been leading the charge in the wins with Chieck Diallo, Alec Stockton, and Jordan Heading among the heavy hitters for the team.
Stinging setbacks for Meralco
The Bolts are looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the conference at the hands of Blackwater, 114-98, last December 11 to drop to 3-1. Meralco is also seeking to atone for its loss in an EASL game where it squandered a late 13-point lead to go down to Busan KCC Egis, 72-68, last Saturday.
Reinforcements for the Bolts
Akil Mitchell is back for Meralco after missing the last two games due to a broken nose. Mitchell is expected to continue wearing a mask, like he did during the EASL match, as a safety measure to protect his nose. Allein Maliksi is also eligible to return to the floor after missing all but one game during the Governors’ Cup, certainly a boost to the Bolts squad that has been playing shorthanded all conference long.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Wednesday, December 25. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
First Manila Clasico of Season 49
Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia will actually be battling for the first time this season on Wednesday as the two never got to face each other during the Governors’ Cup because of the different tournament format.
Magnolia won in last Christmas Clasico
The Hotshots will play against the Gin Kings on Christmas for the first time in three years. They won their previous clash during the holiday, 117-94, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum during the 2021 Governors’ Cup with Mike Harris lording it over with 29 points and 15 rebounds.
Ginebra has won two straight Christmas Day games
After losing to Magnolia in 2021, Barangay Ginebra has been winning Christmas Day games, beating Bay Area Dragons, 96-81, in 2022 during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Mall of Asia Arena, and defeating TNT, 86-78, in the 2023 edition at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Contrasting fortunes entering their match-up
Barangay Ginebra is coming off a 98-91 loss to Converge last Saturday in Batangas City, to fall to 3-2 win-loss. It was their second defeat in three games. Magnolia, meanwhile, finally picked up a win after four straight losses when it defeated NLEX, 99-95, in overtime last Friday.
Demanding schedule ends for Barangay Ginebra
The Gin Kings will finish a demanding start to their Commissioner’s Cup of six games in 14 days on Christmas Day. Injuries have hit the Gin Kings over this stretch, with Japeth Aguilar sidelined due to a groin pull, his status uncertain of the match-up against Magnolia.
Ratliffe looking to sustain rise
Questions about Ricardo Ratliffe’s future arose during Magnolia’s slump, but the former Korea naturalized player is starting to get his rhythm back. Ratliffe had a conference-best 39 points, while also hauling down 18 rebounds in the win over NLEX last Friday when he battled Road Warriors import Mike Watkins. He is now set to face Justin Brownlee in the PBA for the first time during the Christmas Clasico.
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