CAMERON Clark makes his Converge debut on Tuesday as the FiberXers look to arrest a concerning losing slide against Terrafirma in a crucial showdown in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
NLEX tries to get back on track as it takes on TNT for the second time in the eliminations.
A reminder to all, Tuesday’s games have been moved from the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
Here is a preview.
CONVERGE VS. TERRAFIRMA
When: Tuesday, August 11. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Converge welcomes third import
Converge will play with its third import of the conference in Cameron Clark as the FiberXers battle Terrafirma on Tuesday. Clark replaced Jamaal Franklin after three games - all losses . Clark, already a PBA veteran who previously played for NLEX, San Miguel, and Hong Kong Eastern, will look to help Converge arrest a four-game losing skid.
Battle for solo fourth
Converge and Terrafirma battle for solo fourth place in Group A. The two teams are tied at No. 4 with a 3-4 win-loss record heading into their a crucial battle since only the top four teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Mav’s consistent play
Maverick Ahanmisi continued his all-around play for Terrafirma this conference where he is averaging 16.0 points, 6/6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals. On Friday, Ahanmisi was key in Terrafirma’s 114-109 win over NLEX where he had 16 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Ahanmisi will be relied upon once again for the Dyip against the FiberXers.
Calvin’s best game
Calvin Abueva put together his best game of the conference last Wednesday in their 126-114 loss to San Miguel where he had 26 points and 12 rebounds. It was the third time that Abueva had double-digit marks in points and rebounds, upping his averages to 10.4 and 8.1 in the statistical categories respectively. Look for Abueva to try and repeat that performance with Converge desperate for a win.
NLEX VS. TNT
When: Tuesday, August 11. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Get their act together
NLEX suffered its first loss under head coach Jimmy Alapag last Friday when the Road Warriors lost to lowly Terrafirma, 114-109. The Road Warriors will try to get back on track against TNT, a team they beat, 88-83, just last Tuesday in their first round tiff. A win will keep NLEX in front of the Group A standings, but a loss will tie them with San Miguel at first place.
Regains offensive bearings
After the loss to NLEX last week, TNT got back to its winning ways with a 114-80 rout of Titan Ultra last Saturday. After a series of games where the Tropang 5G shot below 40 percent, they made a conference-high 49 percent that led to their best scoring output of the elimination round.
Jordan Heading helped the Tropang 5G regain their usual offense when he returned from shoulder injury and chipped in a team-high 23 points. TNT hopes for the same prolific offense against NLEX.
Turnover points
NLEX committed 11 turnovers against Terrafirma, not exactly high, but what was telling was the 18 points that the Dyip were able to manufacture from the Road Warriors errors. With TNT's offense back on track, NLEX can't afford to play sloppy.
Import story
DeQuan Jones didn’t have his usual outing last Friday against Terrafirma when he had 19 points and five rebounds, both conference lows. Prior to the game against the Dyip, Jones had 26.1 points and 8.3 rebounds. Expect Jones to do his all to bounce back from that game.
Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson produced his third double-double in as many outings when he had 19 points and 12 rebounds against Titan Ultra. Averaging 20.3 points and 11.7 rebounds through three games, Rahlir will try to continue the pace.
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.
