IT has come down to this.
The PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals is set for a thrilling conclusion with Meralco and Barangay Ginebra battling in a sudden death for the right to face San Miguel in the finals.
Here are five burning questions that could decide Game 7:
Meralco vs. Barangay Ginebra
Series tied 3-3
When: Friday, May 31. 7:30 p.m.
Where: FPJ Arena. San Jose, Batangas
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
CAN GINEBRA STOP MERALCO’S RUNNING GAME?
Game Six saw Meralco finally assert its transition game, and it led to 18 fastbreak points. In their two previous wins, the Bolts also showed their strength in that statistical category with 15 in Game Two and 17 in Game Three. Meralco though had 20 in Game One but still lost.
The Bolts also scored 24 points off turnovers, a huge difference with the Gin Kings only coming away with nine in Game Six.
CAN MERALCO CONTAIN C-STAN?
Christian Standhardinger’s performance and Meralco’s ability to contain him have been one of the barometers of the series. Standhardinger still had decent numbers in Game Six where he had 19 points and eight rebounds, but was held to four points on 0-of-6 shooting from the field in the first half.
Raymond Almazan held his own in Game Six, outrebounding Standhardinger, 11-8, despite nursing foul troubles the whole game. Brandon Bates was also able to make Standhardinger work for his points and hauled down nine rebounds along the way to tie a series-high.
WHO CAN HIT THE BIG THREES TONIGHT?
It seems like the big three-point shots in the series have come during pivotal moments, and the team that hits them in that stretch goes on to win.
Game One had Ralph Cu and Stanley Pringle combining for nine threes with Pringle making his shots late in the game.
On Wednesday, it was Bong Quinto and Chris Newsome setting their series highs with three threes each with Quinto draining his attempts during the fourth quarter. Allein Maliksi had only one three in Game Six but it also came at a crucial moment of the contest.
Even the likes of LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson hit threes in Games Four and Five that turned things for their teams in the series.
WHO CAN ADJUST QUICKLY TO THE VENUE?
Game Seven will be played in a non-traditional venue - the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas. Meralco has won all three out-of-town matches in 2024, but Ginebra is expected to have majority of the fans on their side.
While the Bolts haven’t lost outside the regular venues of the league, the Gin Kings have already played at the new venue late last year in a loss to Phoenix in the Commissioner’s Cup.
WHO WANTS IT MORE?
At the end of the day, in a Game Seven, this is what it’s all about.
How about you? What do you think will be the keys to Game Seven?
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