THREE of the four teams that currently occupy the top spot in the PBA Philippine Cup all see action on Sunday, as the Season 50-opening conference comes down to its final two weeks of eliminations.
Here’s a brief preview of the featured double-header.
NLEX VS. MAGNOLIA
When: December 7, 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Montalban
The Road Warriors are looking to push their winning streak to three in a bid to remain in the upper half of the standings and carry a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
NLEX won back-to-back against Rain or Shine and Titan Ultra prior to the FIBA window, landing them at No. 1 with a 6-2 record. It is currently in a four-way logjam with defending champion San Miguel, Converge, and RoS.
Send-off for Robert Bolick
A win is crucial for the Road Warriors, as the game serves as their send-off for main man Robert Bolick before he leaves with the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The streak-shooting guard erupted for 36 points in NLEX’s 92-83 win over Titan Ultra at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion last November 16, none more important than the corner three-pointer he buried with barely a minute left that put the Road Warriors ahead for good.
The SEA Games, where the Philippines is the defending champion, is slated for Dec. 13-21, meaning Bolick will miss the Road Warriors’ final two games of the elims – all big games against big-time teams in TNT (Dec. 13) and Converge (Dec. 17).
Must-win for Magnolia
The Hotshots are likewise aiming for a bounce back win if they’re to contend for a twice-to-beat edge heading to the next round.
The 114-97 loss to Converge last Friday in the resumption of the tournament was a huge one for Magnolia, as it pushed the team out of the Magic 4 at 5-3, tied with the Tropang 5G.
Going down the drain in that loss was the career-high of third-year big man Zavier Lucero, who dropped 31 points, nine rebounds, and two block shots against the FiberXers.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. CONVERGE
WHEN: December 7, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ynares Center-Montalban
This one’s a marquee matchup between two independent teams who are both off to a fine start in the league’s golden season.
The FiberXers climbed to tie the Elasto Painters, Beermen, and Road Warriors at No. 1 – all with 6-2 slates – following their 17-point blowout of the Hotshots over the weekend.
RoS, on the other hand, is coming off a rousing upset of TNT in Cagayan de Oro City, 91-89, after rallying back from an 18-point deficit.
Yeng vs. Delta
An interesting sidebar to the match is the coaching showdown between two kabalens – Yeng Guiao for Rain or Shine and Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda for Converge.
It’s the first time the two will coach against each other since Pineda assumed head coaching chores for the FiberXers at the start of the season.
Although both are champion coaches, Pineda has been vocal about his high regard and respect for Guiao, whom he fondly refers to as ‘Kuya Yeng.’
The Pinedas and Guiaos are family friends and considered powerful political clans in Pampanga.
Juan GDL against RoS defenders
Converge sensational rookie Juan Gomez de Liano will face another litmus test, as he goes up against Rain or Shine’s platoon of tough-defending guards and wings in Jhonard Clarito, Gian Mamuyac, and veteran Gabe Norwood.
GDL, the second overall pick in the last draft, is coming off a huge 27-point explosion against Magnolia, going 3-of-7 from three-point range and adding seven rebounds and five assists.
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