FRIDAY sees a marquee matchup in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup, with Rain or Shine facing off with Barangay Ginebra at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Here is a preview of today’s double-header.
BLACKWATER VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Friday, October 9. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Out to extend win streak
Magnolia looks to stretch its streak to four games when it battles Blackwater in the first game. The Hotshots’ last win was a 115-101 decision against Phoenix Super LPG last August 12.
Magnolia, though, hopes that the long break won’t affect its momentum.
Out to sweep elims series
Blackwater will not only seek its second straight win, but also a sweep of Magnolia in the elimination round. The Bossing defeated the Hotshots, 89-81, last July 17 to start the conference with two straight wins.
Zavier, Sedrick fresh off Gilas
The spotlight will also shine on Zavier Lucero and Sedrick Barefield after their stints with Gilas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games.
The two have been impressive in the first part of the conference, with Lucero averaging 15.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks, and Barefield norming 19.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Friday, October 9. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Hottest team in the league
Rain or Shine will aim for its fifth straight victory in the showdown with Ginebra. The Elasto Painters dispatched Meralco, 85-83, last August 2 to become the hottest team in the league.
End the slump in Murphy’s debut
Ginebra restarts its conference, having lost two straight games, including a 97-88 defeat to Meralco last August 14.
As they try to get back on track, Jordan Murphy makes his Gin Kings debut. The product of University of Minnesota took over the spot of Riley Grigsby.
Locals need to step up
The Gin Kings need their locals to get going if they want to get back to winning. During the first part of the conference, only RJ Abarrientos averaged double-digits, with 14.8 points.
Scottie Thompson will look to chip in now he is a lot healthier following the break. Last August 14, Thompson played his first game in the conference, contributing four points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Santi, Felix, Stanley return
Rain or Shine gets a boost for the second part of the conference, as Santi Santillan, Felix Lemetti, and Stanley Pringle are all set to come back after recovering from their respective injuries.
Out of the three, Lemetti and Pringle were absent the longest, with the former suffering a partial ACL tear during the Commissioner’s Cup and the latter needing to recover from a surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear.
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