MERALCO may have found an edge in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals after dragging Barangay Ginebra to a Game Seven to be played at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas.
Aside from momentum possibly shifting to their side following their Game Six win at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, the Bolts have a knack for winning out-of-town games, owning a record of 3-0 heading into Friday’s contest.
Out-of-town games have been kind for Meralco
The most recent victory was just days ago when Meralco won Game Three over Barangay Ginebra, 87-80, in Game Three of the series at the City of Dasmariñas Arena last May 22.
Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome, and Bong Quinto combined for 40 points in the first PBA playdate in the city.
Batangas has also been good to the Bolts as they gave San Miguel its first of only two losses all conference when they won, 95-92, last May 4 in Batangas City that ended the Beermen’s bid to sweep the elimination round.
Cliff Hodge had a huge game in that contest, scoring 20 points and hauling down 13 rebounds in upsetting the Beermen at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Earlier this year, Meralco captured an out-of-town victory in the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup when it defeated Magnolia, 85-80, in Iloilo City.
Meralco import Shonn Miller posted massive numbers in that game, collecting 33 points, 22 rebounds, and four steals at the University of San Agustin Gym.
Ginebra has played at the FPJ Arena
On the other side, Barangay Ginebra cannot exactly call the FPJ Arena as friendly confines even as it is expected that they will have the crowd on their side.
In the league’s first game in San Jose, Batangas, Barangay Ginebra lost to Phoenix, 82-77, with Fuel Masters import Johnathan Williams collecting 24 points and 23 rebounds against Tony Bishop and the rest of the Gin Kings.
Even the last out-of-town game between Ginebra and Meralco didn't go the Gin Kings' way.
Their previous out-of-town contest between the two teams came in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals. Although the Gin Kings won the championship that conference, the Gin Kings dropped a 94-72 decision over the Bolts on January 10, 2020 in Game Two at the Quezon Convention Center.
Will the trend continue for Meralco or will Barangay Ginebra end it on Friday night?
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