NLEX and Magnolia seek the No. 1 seed in their respective groups in matchups with separate foes who are also in the hunt for that top spot in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Here is a preview of the Wednesday double-header featuring 1 vs. 2 showdowns.
SAN MIGUEL VS. NLEX
When: Wednesday, October 21. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Battle for No. 1
NLEX and San Miguel square off to determine the No. 1 seed in Group A. The Road Warriors are in strong position to secure the top seed with their 9-2 record, as well as their 110-96 victory vs. the Beermen in the first round.
SMB, at second with an 8-3 mark, need to win by 15 points or more to steal No. 1
Listless against Titan Ultra
NLEX may have won against Titan Ultra, 147-115, in its previous game, but the Road Warriors had a lethargic start and found themselves in a 65-65 tie at halftime. NLEX eventually picked up their game to win by a blowout, but they can’t afford to be sloppy against San Miguel.
King back at it
George King regained his scoring ways in San Miguel's 135-105 win over Terrafirma when he collected 44 points, recovering from a 20-point night against TNT in the game prior.
NLEX will have its hands full not just against King, but the rest of the Beermen.
Kraken takes crack at 10,000
A sidelight to the all-important game is the quest of June Mar Fajardo to join the 10,000-point club - and he is only five points shy of doing so. His offense is starting to pick up just in time for the home stretch after going for a conference-high 25 points against Terrafirma.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Wednesday, October 21. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Magnolia goes for No. 1
Magnolia battles Rain or Shine, going for the top-seed in Group B and a quarterfinal duel against Group A No. 4 TNT. The Hotshots will also look to bounce back from their 98-97 loss to the Elasto Painters during the first round.
Still has shot at No. 1
Rain or Shine, at second in Group B with a 5-3 record, looks for a sweep of the elimination round series against Magnolia. If they do win, the Elasto Painters still have a shot at No. 1 when they go up against Phoenix Super LPG on Friday.
Magnolia’s defense
The Hotshots, on a five-game winning streak, have been solid on defense, as they have limited their opponents below 40-percent from the field over the last two games. They will try to do so against Rain or Shine, which is shooting 47-percent from the field this conference.
Incidentally, despite the win, the Elasto Painters only shot 38-percent against Magnolia in the first round, their worst shooting performance of the conference.
Lemetti back in form
Felix Lemetti showed what Rain or Shine was missing in their 125-123 win over Blackwater when he lit it up for 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. His aggressiveness on the floor allowed him to get scoring opportunities at the line where he made eight of his 11 shots.
Lemetti will play a big role against Magnolia. as he battles against his counterparts such as Jerom Lastimosa and Mark Barroca.
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