THURSDAY’S PBA Governors’ Cup contest has the makings of a main event as Meralco and TNT tussle.
Here are the details of the double-header.
Meralco vs. TNT
When: Thursday, September 12. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Battle for first place
The Bolts and Tropang Giga square off amidst their high position this conference as they share first place in Group A with a 5-1 win-loss record.
TNT looks to have a slight edge over Meralco, with the former downing the latter in their first round affair via rout, 93-73, last August 22, but don’t expect another blowout win by either team with the way they've been playing this conference.
They said it
Chot Reyes: “We have to understand that it’s not going to be the same. You can’t expect it to be the same type of basketball game. We know that it’s going to get much, much harder. We need to be prepared. We know from the start that Meralco is going to be the team to beat because, first of all, they are the All-Filipino champions with a very good quality import. We know how tough the team is going to be.”
Previous game
Meralco overcame Magnolia, 82-74, last Saturday in Panabo City, taking advantage of the absence of an import for the Hotshots. TNT defeated Converge, 98-91, last Sunday to continue its winning ways and regain joint first place in Group A.
The winner will step closer to clinching a quarterfinals berth with a good chance of staying No. 1.
Terrafirma vs. Magnolia
When: Thursday, September 12. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Struggling teams pitted together
Magnolia is on a roller-coaster ride with its 3-3 win-loss slate, and is coming off an 82-74 defeat at Meralco's hands last Saturday in Cagayan de Oro. But no one is struggling in Group A more than Terrafirma, which has lost six straight and was just routed by NorthPort, 133-107.
Keeping slim playoff hopes alive
At 0-6, Terrafirma can no longer afford to lose if it wants to move past the group stage. Another defeat will essentially boot the Dyip out of the race with top teams TNT and Meralco still on their schedule.
Shabazz finally makes Magnolia debut
Shabazz Muhammad is finally scheduled to play his first game with Magnolia on Thursday after being cleared by FIBA to play in the PBA. Muhammad was already in Panabo last Saturday, but didn’t see action while still waiting for clearance.
PBA fans already know how capable Muhammad is to score after he once hit 57 while playing for San Miguel during his first pitstop in the PBA back in the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup. Muhammad will have a great opportunity to find his groove when he plays against a struggling Terrafirma team.
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