GAMES with playoff implications are scheduled in Friday’s doubleheader in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Here are the matches and things you need to know about them.
Phoenix vs. NLEX
When: Friday, September 20. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Chasing for a playoff berth
NLEX begins its chase for the fourth and final quarterfinal slot in Group B in its game against Phoenix. The Road Warriors are in a deadlock with Blackwater at fourth place with a 3-5 win-loss record and a victory will give them an advantage over the Bossing in the race. The Road Warriors have been on a slump with a four-game losing streak, and Friday is a perfect time to break the skid.
Ending with a bang
Phoenix is playing its final game of the eliminations, and the Fuelmasters are out to finish on a high note. They were defeated by Barangay Ginebra, 112-96, last Wednesday to drop to 1-8, and will now look to salvage the campaign by playing the spoiler’s role against playoff-seeking NLEX.
Local contribution
Both teams need their locals to step up. In Phoenix’s loss to Barangay Ginebra, Jason Perkins, Sean Manganti, and Kai Ballungay scored in double digits but might need more from the other players in order to claim the win. For NLEX, only Robert Bolick (28 points) was the double digit scorer for his team in their 123-114 overtime defeat against Rain or Shine last Tuesday.
READ: NLEX, Blackwater dispute final QFs spot in Group B
NorthPort vs. Magnolia
When: Friday, September 20. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Staying alive sans an import
NorthPort is battling for its lives in its match-up against Magnolia, needing a win to remain in the hunt for a spot in the quarterfinals for Group A.
As of posting time, however, NorthPort is still without an import after Venky Jois suffered an Achilles injury in its 114-104 loss to Meralco, ruling him out of the season.
Eyeing for a quarterfinal berth
Magnolia is looking to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals with a victory over NorthPort. The Hotshots are fresh from an 84-82 defeat over TNT last Tuesday to go down to 4-4, but are in a position to book a place in the next round.
READ: Converge, Magnolia, NorthPort dispute two QFs spots
Mark Barroca plans to play through a nose injury
The Magnolia point guard missed the final minutes of their loss to TNT due to an injured nose following an inadvertent hit by Kelly Williams during a loose ball. Even with the injury, Barroca told reporters after the game that he intends to play against NorthPort, but plans to wear a mask in order to protect his nose.
Containing NorthPort’s fast-paced game
A key to the ballgame for NorthPort is its running game. The Batang Pier are first in turnover points with 19.13, and second in fastbreak points behind Rain or Shine with 23.25. Magnolia must contain this aspect of NorthPort’s game in order to succeed.
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