IT'S Converge's turn to make its PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup debut, as it faces Titan Ultra, but the spotlight will also be shared by NLEX and Terrafirma, both of whom are gunning for early leadership in their group.
Here is a preview.
NLEX VS. TERRAFIRMA
When: Sunday, July 12. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Montalban
Early No. 1 in Group A
NLEX and Terrafirma seek solo first in Group A after winning their respective first assignments. The Road Warriors defeated Macau, 114-75, while the Dyip beat Titan Ultra, 113-100.
Focus on rebounds
NLEX is expected to be extra focused on getting rebounds after Terrafirma’s record-breaking night when it grabbed a new league-high 93 against Titan Ultra.
READ: Terrafirma sets PBA record after hauling 93 rebounds vs. Titan
Geo Chiu hit a new career-high on the boards where he grabbed 23, and even collecting 10 on the offensive end. Justin Strings also had 16 boards against the Giant Risers.
Players to watch
Juami Tiongson hit double-digits in his first game back with Terrafirma, scoring 13 points, but doing so inefficiently in making only four of his 13 attempts from the field. He will try to do better, for sure.
Robert Bolick had a near double-double when he had nine points and eight assists, while also chipping in six rebounds. If there is room for improvement, it was his shooting, as he made just two of his seven shots.
TITAN ULTRA VS. CONVERGE
When: Sunday, July 12. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Montalban
Converge debuts
Converge restarts its 50th Season campaign in its match-up against Titan Ultra. The FiberXers are out for a different story this conference after missing the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup with a 5-7 record.
Giant Risers' import woes
Titan Ultra lost its conference opener to Terrafirma, 113-100, after the Giant Risers played without an import, as James Milton failed to secure his FIBA clearance.
It is still unknown, as of posting time, whether Milton will play today.
Juan GDL's injury from Gilas stint
Prior to this conference, Juan Gomez de Liano played for Gilas Pilipinas, where he made a big impression by scoring 23 points, including some clutch shots, during the overtime loss to New Zealand.
Gomez de Liano later suffered an ankle sprain in Gilas’ loss to Australia. Six days after that injury, is the playmaker 100-percent for Converge’s debut? We will find out later.
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