TNT and Magnolia will look to topple higher-seeded opponents in NLEX and Meralco, respectively, on Saturday at Ynares Center-Antipolo to advance and arrage a semifinal series in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
Here is a preview.
MERALCO VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Saturday, May 16. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
KO contest
Magnolia and Meralco will square off for the third straight time, this time with a semifinal spot at stake. The No. 5 Hotshots forced a knockout bout thanks to a 95-89 win over the Bolts in the two teams' first quarterfinal game. Prior to the playoffs, Magnolia also won over Meralco, 93-76, at the close of its elimination round.
Hotshots defense
Magnolia banked on its defense to beat Meralco, with the former limiting the latter to only 39.7 percent from the field, with players such as Marvin Jones (3-of-15) and Chris Banchero (3-of-11) forced to off nights. Bolts' leading local scorer CJ Cansino also only had seven points.
Lucero's all-around play
Clint Chapman, Jerom Lastimosa, Rome Dela Rosa, and Ian Sangalang got the spotlight during Wednesday's match, but Zavier Lucero quietly made an impact.
Lucero had a near double-double for Magnolia and produced nine points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.
Players to watch
Javi Gomez de Liano continued his rise for Magnolia after he had nine points, and he now averages 11.3 points over the last four games.
Javee Mocon has had significant contributions over the last three games, averaging 11 points and 3.7 rebounds for Meralco.
NLEX VS. TNT
When: Saturday, May 16. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
TNT eyes to complete the upset
Eighth-seed TNT vies for a semifinal berth against top-ranked NLEX after forcing a winner-take-all via a 96-93 victory last Wednesday.
Trio boosts TNT
TNT mainstays Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and Jayson Castro gave their team a boost during the first quarterfinal game.
Oftana had 19 points and 4-of-8 from threes, Pogoy had 15 points, and Castro had 14 points and three assists in the win over NLEX, complementing the 34-point, 14-rebound production of Bol Bol.
Foul-plagued NLEX
In order for NLEX to have a shot in the knockout game, several Road Warriors must first find a way to stay in the game. Cady Lalanne and Robert Bolick already had three fouls in the first half, with Bolick eventually fouling out with still four minutes left.
Even the likes of JB Bahio and Xyrus Torres were in foul trouble in the game, as NLEX totalled 27 fouls that led to 33 free throw attempts.
Players to watch
Jordan Heading played for 24 minutes, and although he was scoreless, he still contributed three rebounds and four assists. A scoring explosion by Heading could mean a win for TNT.
Xyrus Torres stepped up for NLEX with 14 points on 4-of-6 from threes despite being in foul trouble. An encore would be huge for the Road Warriors in the knockout game.
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