MAGNOLIA resumes its PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup campaign on Friday, as Barangay Ginebra and Meralco meet just two days after winning their respective games last Wednesday.
We discuss the two games in this preview.
MAGNOLIA VS. TITAN ULTRA
When: Friday, October 17. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Magnolia aims solo lead
Magnolia takes a shot at early leadership when it squares off against Titan Ultra. The Hotshots haven’t played since opening day last October 5 when they defeated Ginebra, 80-73, in LA Tenorio’s first game as PBA head coach.
Titan plots return to winning ways sans Abueva
Titan Ultra guns for its second win in three outings after a 129-92 blowout defeat to Converge last Saturday, yet the team will be missing the services of Calvin Abueva.
During the same game, Abueva hurt his hamstring and played for only four minutes. On the eve of this match, Giant Risers coach John Cardel ruled Abueva out in meeting his former team for the first time.
Josh needs back-up
With Abueva out of Titan Ultra’s game against Converge, Joshua Munzon was left to do the heavy lifting and ended up scoring 31 points.
He was the lone double-digit scorer for the Giant Risers, however. They need others to contribute offensively if they want to overcome Magnolia.
Sangalang, Barroca coming off the bench again?
Starters in all 13 games of last season’s Philippine Cup, Ian Sangalang and Mark Barroca came off the bench for Magnolia in the season-opener against Ginebra. The two gave the Hotshots a boost with Sangalang chipping in nine points, five rebounds, and four assists, and Barroca pitching in seven points, five assists, and one steal. Will this be the trend of Magnolia under Tenorio?
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. MERALCO
When: Friday, October 17. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Chasing second straight win
Ginebra and Meralco go for a second straight victory after sluggish starts to their seasons. They will have to do it just two days after their most recent game, with the Gin Kings beating TNT, 92-77, and the Bolts outplaying Blackwater, 105-96.
Ginebra was coming off an 80-73 loss to Magnolia to begin the new season. Meralco dropped its first two games, including a 96-95 overtime loss to Rain or Shine where the Bolts squandered a 16-point deficit.
Scottie bounce back
After being held scoreless in their first game of the season, Scottie Thompson atoned with 10 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, providing a boost for the Gin Kings in the match-up against TNT.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said the team benefited from the nine days in between games to regroup and get down to business. And it was pretty obvious that Thompson was one of those who took full advantage.
Newnew, Allein get out of shooting slump
Chris Newsome and Allein Maliksi must continue to shoot better in order to have a chance against Ginebra. After combining for 6-of-21 from the field in the first two games, Newsome finished with 22 points and made six of his nine shots. Maliksi scored 13 points on 4-of-8 from the field after an atrocious start where he only made 2-of-15 in the two previous outings.
Torres faces old team
Norbert Torres will be meeting his ex-team on Friday for the first time since signing with Ginebra. The former Meralco big man will come into the game encouraged after he put on 10 points and five rebounds in the Gin Kings' victory vs. TNT.
So far, so good for Jeremiah Gray
Jeremiah Gray is racking up good numbers so far in the first two games of the season, especially since Jamie Malonzo left Ginebra. Gray had 13 points against Magnolia and followed it up by producing eight points, five rebounds, and one steal vs. TNT.
Second game of a busy week for Meralco
Meralco enters its second game of the week, but its first against playoff contenders. After Ginebra, the Bolts will go up against Magnolia on Sunday. Winning all three games this week will be huge for them, as they are also set to compete in the EASL starting October 22.
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