NLEX takes its winning streak to the test on Sunday, as it goes up against defending champion Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Meanwhile, a Blackwater player is set to face his old team in San Miguel in the first game. This and more side stories to watch in our preview.
BLACKWATER VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Sunday, May 25. 5 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
San Miguel looks for third straight win
At third place with Barangay Ginebra with a 5-2 record, San Miguel was victorious in back-to-back games against teams that are on the outside looking in for quarterfinals berths. After wins over Phoenix and Terrafirma, SMB will try to make it three in a row, this time against Blackwater, which enters the match-up with a 1-6 slate.
Blackwater with a strong showing against Ginebra
Based from its previous game against Ginebra, Blackwater should not be taken lightly.
The Bossing went toe-to-toe with the Gin Kings only to fall, 101-99, on a jumper by Japeth Aguilar with one second left. The performance looked promising, but the Bossing must repeat it in order to have a fighting chance against San Miguel.
Can RK Ilagan continue to be Blackwater’s 'third man?'
A big reason why Blackwater stayed in the game against Ginebra was RK Ilagan. The Bossing's pint-sized playmaker had a huge night by pouring in a conference-high 24 points to serve as a complement for the usual numbers that Sedrick Barefield and Christian David have consistently provided.
It goes without saying that similar numbers from Ilagan will improve Blackwater’s chance of winning against powerhouse San Miguel.
Troy Mallillin faces former team
A side story for the game is Troy Mallillin taking on San Miguel, the team that drafted him last year. Mallillin nearly became the hero for Blackwater when he drained a game-tying three, only for Aguilar to answer with the jumper.
Mallillin had nine points in the Ginebra game ahead of the matchup with the Beermen where he has something to prove.
NLEX VS. MERALCO
When: Sunday, May 25. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
NLEX goes for share of the lead again
Out to extend its winning streak for Sunday’s game is NLEX, which is at solo second with a 6-1 record - its chance of claiming one of four twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals improving with every win.
The Road Warriors defeated Converge, 88-83, to close in on that playoff incentive.
Finish strong is the goal
Meralco is headed to its final two games of the elimination round and is, of course, looking to finish strong. The Bolts are at eighth place with a 4-5 record, and coming off a 103-85 win over Blackwater to arrest a two-game losing streak.
Still in the bubble for a playoff berth, the defending champions must beat NLEX in order to boost their seeding.
Bolts welcome Hodge back
Meralco is set to get back Cliff Hodge after he got suspended for one game by the league for a hard foul against Magnolia's Zavier Lucero.
The Bolts still played well even without Hodge, particularly in rebounding where they had a 62-42 edge over the Bossing. Hodge’s presence is needed down low, especially against a Road Warriors team that is at No. 2 in the statistical category heading into the game.
Robert Bolick dishing dimes
Robert Bolick has been solid being NLEX's facilitator, and that will still be key for the Road Warriors if they want to extend their winning streak.
In their win over Converge, Bolick chalked up back-to-back 10-assist nights, leading to players such as Xyrus Torres, Javee Mocon, and Tony Semerad getting scoring opportunities.
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