SAN Miguel and TNT will look to arrange a finals duel in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup in Game 6 on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
However, their opponents Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine remain resolute in keeping their chances of reaching the finals alive and forcing a rubber match.
Here is a preview of Sunday’s game where RJ Abarrientos, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Jordan Heading are among the players to watch.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Sunday, July 6. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
San Miguel goes for clincher
San Miguel seeks to advance to the finals of the Philippine Cup for the eighth time over the last 11 years in Game 6.
READ: SMB sends Ginebra to the brink of elimination with Game 5 win
The Beermen grabbed a 3-2 series lead with a 103-92 victory to become the first team in the series to win back-to-back games.
SMB bench must produce again
In Game 5, San Miguel’s bench once again made huge contributions with Jericho Cruz leading the way with 27 points.
The Beermen have been outplaying Ginebra's reserves all series long with an average of 45 points per game. In contrast, the Gin Kings are only logging 29.6 bench points in the series
Shooting woes for Ginebra
Ginebra shot just 37-percent from the field that contributed to its defeat in Game 5. It is the second straight time that the Gin Kings shot below 50-percent after they went 41-percent in Game 4, which they also lost.
Rebounding a silver lining for Ginebra
Perhaps because of their bad shooting night, Ginebra outrebounded San Miguel, 51-40, in Game 5. Troy Rosario was a monster on the glass by hauling 16 rebounds, 11 from the offensive variety. The Gin Kings must continue to dominate the boards for a chance to win Game 6.
RJ struggles offensively
Since scoring 24 points in Game 3, Abarrientos has slumped on offense with an average of 7.5 points in the next two matches - and Ginebra is hoping the trend would end.
Abarrientos went 0-of-4 from the field, and got his six points from the foul line in Game 5. He even didn’t play in the final moments of Friday’s match.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. TNT
When: Sunday, July 6. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Rain or Shine tries to force Game 7
Rain or Shine kept its season alive after beating TNT, 113-97, last Friday to close its deficit to 3-2. It was the first time that the Elasto Painters logged two victories over the Tropang 5G in their three semifinal duels this season.
READ: RoS lives to fight another day after Game 5 triumph over TNT
Come Game 6, RoS will look for back-to-back wins and force a Game 7.
Chot returns; Is RR next?
Chot Reyes is set to return to the sidelines after serving a one-game suspension last Friday for accumulating his fifth technical foul of the conference in Game 4.
One person who could also be returning is RR Pogoy, who hinted that his hamstring is already healing. Pogoy is averaging 19.5 points in the two games that he played in the semifinals, and his presence will surely be a big boost for TNT in Game 6.
TNT turnovers must be cut down
Ironically, despite its lead in the series, TNT has been turning the ball over at a high rate with an average of 17.8 in the semifinals. The Tropang 5G committed 19 turnovers in Game 5. Even in the Game 4 win, TNT accumulated 17. Limiting their errors could spell a victory for the Tropang 5G on Sunday.
On the other hand, Rain or Shine was able to take advantage of the Tropang 5G's errors, as it led to 28 points off turnovers, their highest in the series. Turnovers enable the Elasto Painters to push the pace, and if that happens again on Sunday, we could be seeing a Game 7.
BGR, Heading a non-factor in Game 5
After combining for 55 points in the Game 4 victory, BGR and Heading were not felt last Friday. The two only combined for seven points, and were also dealing with foul trouble. BGR ended up with five fouls, while Heading had four.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
