MAGNOLIA fights for dear life while San Miguel looks to strengthen its bid for the quarterfinals in a marquee doubleheader in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
SCENARIOS: Four-way tie for seventh will be fatal for San Miguel
Here’s a preview of the important match-ups.
MAGNOLIA VS. EASTERN
When: Sunday, January 26. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
Win to stay alive for quarterfinals berth
Magnolia faces Eastern on Sunday with its quarterfinal chances on the line as a defeat will eliminate the Hotshots. The Hotshots are at 10th with a 4-6 win-loss record, half-a-game behind eighth placers San Miguel and NLEX (5-6). Magnolia defeated Phoenix, 110-104, last January 16 in their previous match.
Hong Kong squad still in the frame for twice-to-beat
Eastern is still within striking distance of one of the two twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals, sharing second place with Meralco and TNT with a 7-3 win-loss card. Eastern won over Terrafirma, 134-110, in their previous game last January 17.
Weary Eastern playing with a split squad?
Hong Kong had a nine-day break after that win over Terrafirma, but has been busy outside the PBA. Eastern played in the Hong Kong domestic league semifinals where they were ousted by Winling last January 21. But the season in Hong Kong isn’t over yet for Eastern as it plays a battle-for-third match-up against Fukien on the same Sunday that the team has a PBA game against Magnolia. It remains to be seen what the composition of the team would look like for the Hotshots match.
Paul Lee activated
The Hotshots activated Paul Lee ahead of the match against Eastern. Lee has been bothered by a meniscus tear and Magnolia is hoping that Lee’s offense would click for the important match. Lee has only played in four games with the Hotshots, averaging 8.5 points, and totalling 8 for 24 from the field this conference.
TNT VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Sunday, January 26. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
SMB seeks to stay at eighth place
San Miguel is fighting for the final slots in the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. The Beermen came up with a huge 116-113 win over Converge last Friday to stay in the running for the playoff spot with a 5-6 win-loss record. SMB is now tied with NLEX for eighth spot, with Magnolia still having a shot as of posting time.
Twice-to-beat still within reach for TNT
TNT still has a shot at a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after it defeated Phoenix by a mile, 106-70, to join Eastern and Meralco at joint second with a 7-3 win-loss record. TNT coach Chot Reyes, however, said he isn't thinking anou the incentive and is only focused on the game against San Miguel that he described as a “real huge war.”
TNT main guys get breather ahead of SMB game
With TNT already holding a large lead over Phoenix, the Tropang Giga were able to rest top players Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, and Jayson Castro, which could be a big difference as the team only had a one-day break before the game against SMB.
Can Malik Pope sustain his form?
San Miguel beat Converge with the help of Malik Pope, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds in his best game in the PBA so far. The Beermen have struggled with the revolving door of imports, and Pope’s performance against TNT and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could determine the result of the match.
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