TWO Game Threes in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals will be played on Wednesday at the new Dasmariñas Arena. Whose trip to Cavite will be a memorable one?
Here are the keys to Game Three:
Rain or Shine vs. San Miguel
When: Wednesday, May 22. 4:30 p.m.
Where: Dasmariñas Arena, Cavite
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
MUST-WIN FOR RAIN OR SHINE
It goes without saying that Rain or Shine must play with a sense of urgency on Wednesday. No team has come back from a 0-3 hole except San Miguel, which essayed the ‘Beeracle’ during the 2015-16 Philippine Cup by winning the final four games of the finals series.
CAN RAIN OR SHINE FINALLY CONTAIN JUNE MAR?
The storyline of this series is still June Mar Fajardo. The seven-time MVP remained unstoppable in Game Two after scoring 18 of his 22 points in the third quarter. The danger about all this is that San Miguel’s other stars have also played well including CJ Perez, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds last Sunday.
CAN THE E-PAINTERS FINALLY PLAY AT THEIR PACE?
Once again, Rain or Shine hasn’t been able to crack up its running game, scoring just seven fastbreak points in Game Two. The Elasto Painters also hope to minimize their turnovers after committing 15 in Game Two, which led to 18 points for the Beermen.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Andrei Caracut continues to struggle, limited to four points on 2-of-7 from the field, and a big game from him could be what Rain or Shine needs to come back in this series.
With June Mar Fajardo dominating the first two games, San Miguel could change strategy this time in Game Three by going to other players, and CJ Perez could be the guy that can become the focal point of the Beermen offense for this game.
Meralco vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: Wednesday, May 22. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dasmariñas Arena, Cavite
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
WHO WILL STEP UP FOR GINEBRA?
Game Two saw Christian Standhardinger getting the bulk of the points after going for a career-high 41 points. Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone has called on the other players to step up. The question now is who.
NEWSOME IS AWESOME
Chris Newsome has been more aggressive on offense in this semifinal series, averaging 20.5 points in the two games against Ginebra. Meralco hopes that the production will continue, and if it does, it will certainly be bad news for Ginebra.
REBOUNDING BATTLE
Interestingly, the Bolts have been winning the rebound battle in the series, even in their Game One loss, and even with Christian Standhardinger around for Ginebra. In Game Two, the Bolts dominated the boards, 50-39, with Cliff Hodge leading the way with 10 rebounds. Continuing to control the boards will be a key for Game Three.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Allein Maliksi scored 25 points in Game Two, and that’s with him missing all his three three-point attempts. An explosion from the outside could be in the works for Maliksi in Game Three.
Scottie Thompson has been quiet in the series, and Game Two was no exception. Thompson scored only six points on 3-of-11 shooting, and only hauled one rebound last Sunday.
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