MAGNOLIA tries to maintain its unbeaten record against NorthPort even as Bay Area gets another test in San Miguel in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Chicken Timplados Hotshots go up against the Batang Pier at 6:45 p.m. after the Dragons face the Beermen in their 4:30 p.m. tussle.
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Magnolia is the only unbeaten team in the league following its 111-93 win over NLEX on Wednesday, its fourth victory in as many games.
Nick Rakocevic had 36 points and 15 rebounds in the win over NLEX, playing that game after he suffered an injury in his right knee against TNT.
Magnolia might get added help for the contest with Ian Sangalang and Rome Dela Rosa possibly returning for the Sunday match after missing two games due to typhoid fever.
Eyes will again be on Nick Rakocevic as the Hotshots eye win No. 5.
NorthPort tries to hand Magnolia its first defeat of the conference, with the Batang Pier on a high with an 87-83 victory over Blackwater last week.
That match saw a collective effort with Prince Ibeh and Arvin Tolentino also contributing on offense, with Robert Bolick being checked after scoring 44 points two games ago.
Bay Area, on the other hand, tries to bounce back from its 111-93 defeat against Barangay Ginebra last week to go down to 4-1.
The Dragons though face another traditional powerhouse in San Miguel, winners of the Philippine Cup.
Focus will be on Andrew Nicholson, who will be playing his second game as Bay Area import. He had 28 points in the match but struggled in the second half against Ginebra.
San Miguel looks to claim its second straight win after a 113-105 victory over Rain or Shine last Sunday.
A sidenote of the game though is that the individual match-up between June Mar Fajardo and Liu Chuanxing will not occur as Fajardo will sit for a few games after a throat surgery.
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