THE PBA celebrates its 50th year with a double-header that will be staged at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum highlighted by a Philippine Cup finals rematch. Here’s what to expect in the matches.
MAGNOLIA VS. CONVERGE
When: Wednesday, April 9. 5 p.m.
Where: Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Seeking for second straight win
Magnolia and Converge are each eyeing their second win in the Philippine Cup. The Hotshots opened the conference with a 106-84 win over Blackwater, while the FiberXers bounced back from their loss to Meralco to start their campaign with a 92-83 victory over Phoenix.
Is this Zavier Lucero’s team?
Based from the first game, it looks like Zavier Lucero will be playing a larger role with Magnolia this conference. Lucero played 28 minutes and scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field.
He also grabbed seven rebounds for the Hotshots in his first game in the All-Filipino conference with the ball club. Can he repeat his performance in the Converge match?
Justine Baltazar battles cabalen Ian Sangalang
A side story in this game is the match-up between Justine Baltazar and Ian Sangalang. Both are Pampanga natives and come from the stable of Pampanga governor and now-Converge assistant coach Dennis Pineda. It’s the present versus future in this Kapampangan match-up in the paint.
Bryan Santos steps up from the outside
Converge will be missing the services of Jordan Heading, as he continues to deal with a back issue, but Bryan Santos, at least in the game against Phoenix, has filled the gap in terms of three-point shooting after making 3-of-6 from the outside. The FiberXers need his shooting again in the match against the Hotshots.
MERALCO VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Wednesday, April 9. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Finals rematch
Meralco and San Miguel get re-acquainted in the Philippine Cup after the Bolts defeated the Beermen, 80-78, last June 16 in Game 6 of last season's All-Filipino finals on Chris Newsome's title-clinching jumper.
The game will also have a special meaning with the match serving as the main game of the league’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Retro night
As part of the celebration of the league’s 50th birthday, Meralco and San Miguel will wear retro jerseys for the game. The Bolts have already revealed that they will be wearing the uniforms from the Reddy Kilowatts days in the MICAA. The TV broadcast will also have elements of the graphics back in the day.
Eyeing 3-0 start
Meralco guns for an early lead in the Philippine Cup against its finals opponent from last year. The Bolts got off to a strong start with a close victory over Converge, 91-89, then a rout of Terrafirma, 118-80, over the weekend. Their team will be tested for Wednesday’s match against San Miguel.
Going for two
San Miguel got its redemption bid going with a 98-89 win over NLEX last Saturday in a game where CJ Perez (28 points) and Juami Tiongson (17 points) nailed crucial baskets in the end for the victory.
The Beermen also showed their depth with June Mar Fajardo finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Don Trollano adding 12 points, and Marcio Lassiter making eight points on 2-of-5 shooting from threes. Even Jeron Teng stepped up and had six points in 13 minutes of action. San Miguel’s deep bench will be needed against the reigning champions.
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