NORTHPORT gets an acid test when the league-leader faces Barangay Ginebra in the main event of Wednesday’s PBA 49th Season Commissioner's Cup doubleheader at the Philsports Arena.
Also in the slate is Rain or Shine looking to stretch its winning streak against Blackwater. Here’s the preview of the matches:
RAIN OR SHINE VS. BLACKWATER
When: Wednesday, January 8. 5 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
Five-game winning streak eyed
Rain or Shine enters the match-up against Blackwater with the goal of extending its winning streak to five which would be the longest by any team this conference. The Elasto Painters defeated Terrafirma, 124-112, for a 4-1 win-loss record.
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Two-game losing streak looking to be snapped
Blackwater is determined to break a two-game skid and improve its 1-5 win-loss record. The Bossing were whipped by TNT, 109-93, in their recent game last December 19.
Crashing the boards
In Rain or Shine’s win over Terrafirma, the Elasto Painters dominated the boards, grabbing 23 offensive rebounds resulting in 37 second chance points, both conference-highs. Blackwater must work doubly hard in crashing the boards against Rain or Shine as the Bossing are last in rebounding with an average of 39.5.
George King production
Blackwater import George King had 28 points in the loss to TNT, but that was his lowest production of the conference. Aside from King’s scoring, Blackwater must also get points from other sources.
Guard play
The guards for both teams will be on the spotlight after their solid showing in their previous games. Rain or Shine got superb play from its backcourt with Adrian Nocum and Andrei Caracut combining for 36 points in the win over Terrafirma. Meanwhile, RK Ilagan and Sedrick Barefield also combined for 36 points against TNT.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. NORTHPORT
When: Wednesday, January 8. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
Test for NorthPort in its final stretch
NorthPort enters the match against Ginebra as the league-leader with a 6-1 win-loss record, but it will be severely tested in the coming games starting with Wednesday’s clash against the Gin Kings. The Batang Pier will still be up against the likes of Meralco, Rain or Shine, and San Miguel in the elimination round. NorthPort defeated Eastern, 120-113, last December 20 to bounce back from its first loss of the conference against Phoenix.
Extending its winning streak this conference
Barangay Ginebra is going for its third straight victory in the tussle against NorthPort. The Gin Kings defeated San Miguel, 93-81, last Sunday to go up to 5-2 win-loss.
Ginebra out to stretch supremacy against NorthPort
The Gin Kings will also be trying to reassert their supremacy against the Batang Pier. Ginebra has won over NorthPort for 14 straight games, with its last defeat dating back to Game One of the 2019 Governors' Cup semifinals when the Gin Kings lost to the Batang Pier, 124-90, last December 14 of that year.
Pace of the game, defense on the spotlight
NorthPort will once again showcase its fast-paced style of basketball in the game against Ginebra. With the Batang Pier leading the league in fastbreak points with 22 a match, the Gin Kings will look to dictate the tempo in their favor and neutralize the running game of the Batang Pier.
Both teams have been winning because of their defense. NorthPort and Ginebra are first and third in steals with 11.86 and 7.6 respectively. Both are tops in manufacturing points from turnovers, being 1-2 in the league with 19.33 and 18.29
Arvin Tolentino, Troy Rosario face-off
Two stretch bigs will be one of the match-ups to watch in the contest in Arvin Tolentino and Troy Rosario after coming off big games. Tolentino, running second in the Best Player of the Conference statistical race, went off with 35 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the match-up against Eastern. Rosario displayed his offense in the win over San Miguel, pouring in 22 points and 10 rebounds, while also shooting 4-for-8 from threes.
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