BARANGAY Ginebra returns to the Mall of Asia Arena, site of the Gin Kings' lates title conquest in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals against TNT last June.
They come back looking to get that winning feeling back as the Gin Kings go up against Meralco.
Magnolia is also trying to even its win-loss record before the Hotshots’ Manila Clasico game this weekend.
Here is a preview of Friday’s doubleheader.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Friday, July 31. 5:15 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Painters go for third straight win
Rain or Shine goes for three in a row on Friday against Magnolia in the first game of the doubleheader. After a slow 0-2 start, the Elasto Painters have won two in a row including a 110-99 win over Ginebra last Sunday.
Back-to-back wins sought
Magnolia goes for its second straight win after finally claiming its first victory of the conference with a 112-98 decision over Meralco last July 24. A win will also come as a major confidence boost before Sunday’s game against Ginebra.
Collective effort from locals
Magnolia got a ton of help for KJ Buffen in its win over Meralco as the locals scored a combined 86 points, with Zavier Lucero and Ian Sangalang combining for 36 in the game. The Hotshots need the same effort from the locals for Friday’s game.
Nocum’s rise
Adrian Nocum has been playing well in the point guard position as he is averaging 7.8 assists in the conference, one of the best in the league. His play will once again be key when Rain or Shine faces Magnolia
MERALCO VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, July 31. 7:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Back to winning form
Ginebra seeks to get back to its winning ways on Friday against Meralco. The Gin Kings share the bottom of Group B with a 1-2 win-loss record after their defeat to Rain or Shine last Sunday.
Meralco is also coming off a loss, with the Bolts losing to Magnolia, 112-98, last July 24, to go down to a 2-2 win-loss record.
Four-point agenda
Magnolia put the clamps on Chris Banchero in its game when the point guard missed all of his four four-point shots after going 6-of-7 in the two previous matches.
Ginebra import Riley Grigsby, on the other hand, was on fire from that spot, going 4-of-8 against Rain or Shine but in a losing effort.
Maze of errors
Ginebra has to clean up its act if it wants to win over Meralco. Against Rain or Shine, the Gin Kings committed 21 turnovers, bringing their average to 17 this conference. The Gin Kings can’t afford to make similar errors especially after the Bolts scored 23 fastbreak points against the Hotshots despite their loss.
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