MIKEY Williams meets his former team for the first time when Converge battles TNT on Wednesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Williams will share the court with TNT for the first time, albeit as opponents this time, since the Tropang 5G bagged the 47th Season Governors’ Cup last April 21, 2023 - or exactly three years and one day since Williams won the second Finals MVP of his career after the title-clinching 97-93 win over Barangay Ginebra.
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Also in the line-up is San Miguel facing Blackwater in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, a preview of which is also seen below.
SAN MIGUEL VS. BLACKWATER
When: Wednesday, April 22. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
SMB seeks win No. 2 with Boatwright
San Miguel looks to make it two in a row with Bennie Boatwright as its import when it goes up against struggling Blackwater. Boatwright had a superb return to the Beermen after he had 41 points and 11 rebounds in their 98-94 win over NLEX last Sunday.
Out to end losing streak
Blackwater will look to end a four-game losing streak on Wednesday. The Bossing are holding a 1-6 win-loss record, with the last two games, including a 125-108 defeat to Phoenix Super LPG last Friday, under new head coach Pat Aquino. The Bossing remain in the hunt for a playoff spot but the window is fast closing, especially if the losses continue to pile up.
June Mar not his usual self
June Mar Fajardo didn’t log his usual numbers against NLEX as he dealt with an illness prior to the game. The nine-time PBA MVP only had 10 points but still wound up with 11 rebounds. His touches weren’t as much as he only shot seven attempts from the field. With a couple of days to recover, Fajardo could be back to his old form.
Guards need to step up
Blackwater lost to Phoenix Super LPG following news that Dalph Panopio will be out for an extended period due to a fracture in his right hand. The absence was a big blow since Panopio was coming off a breakthrough game embellished by 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals. RK Ilagan also missed their last game against Phoenix and his status remained uncertain as of posting time. Players need to step up as Blackwater faces a daunting task of stunning San Miguel. Free-agent signing CJ Austria is set to take the place of Panopio in the rotation.
CONVERGE VS. TNT
When: Wednesday. April 22. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Mikey battles former team
Converge faces TNT with much anticipation as Mikey Williams is set to play against his former team in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. It will be the first time that Williams will be going up against his old team since a contract dispute led to the two-time Finals MVP being traded to Converge prior to the conference.
Williams will also look to bounce back since he shot just 1-of-10 in their previous game against Magnolia, scoring two points, although he contributed in other areas by hauling three rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
TNT looks to move up
TNT appears to have overcome its shaky start as the Tropang 5G have now won three consecutive games for a 5-2 win-loss record. Another victory will bring TNT to a share of second place with NLEX, enhancing its chances of getting the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Converge urgently needs win
Converge continued its struggles last Sunday when it was defeated by Magnolia Chicken Timplados, 106-94 - their sixth loss over the last seven games. Converge holds a 2-6 win-loss record and another defeat would be bleak to their playoff chances.
Import situation
After its loss to Magnolia, Converge coach Delta Pineda opened up about the possibility of an import switch after the subpar performance of Kylor Kelley after he only had seven points, six rebounds, and two blocks. The FiberXers will stick to Kelley, at least for the meantime, and his presence will be needed especially with the team facing the unstoppable force that is Bol Bol, who dropped 50 points in their 97-92 win over Titan Ultra last Saturday.
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