EASTERN and NorthPort stake their unbeaten slates against separate opponents in Wednesday’s doubleheader of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
NORTHPORT VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Wednesday, December 4. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
NorthPort faces acid test
The Batang Pier will try to remain in the driver’s seat on Wednesday when they face Magnolia Chicken Timplados in the first game. NorthPort defeated NLEX, 114-87, last Thursday, and Terrafirma, 113-101, last Saturday and will now take on a perennial title contender in last season’s runner-up Magnolia.
Magnolia tries to bounce back
The Hotshots look to get back to their winning ways after losing to Converge, 93-91, in a game where they blew a 20-point lead.
Areas for improvement
After a hot shooting display in their win over Blackwater (63 percent), Magnolia cooled off a bit with a still-decent 42 percent clip. However, the Hotshots only made 3-for-13 from threes after hitting 8-for-14 in the Blackwater game.
Cutting down on its turnovers must be a priority for NorthPort against a Magnolia team whose focus is on defense especially after the team uncharacteristically gave up 104.5 points in the first two games. The Batang Pier are averaging 13.5 turnovers over the past two games.
Players to watch
Calvin Abueva could be making his comeback on Wednesday after missing the last game against Converge to rest after suffering from neck spasms during the Blackwater game.
Joshua Munzon, at least in the stat sheet, has yet to produce multiple steals that he has been known for in past conferences. The All-Defensive Team member has one steal in each of the past two games, but that could change against Magnolia.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. EASTERN
When: Wednesday, December 4. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Eastern vies to stay unbeaten as busy schedule continues
Eastern seeks to remain in first place after starting the conference 2-0 with wins over Phoenix, 102-87, in the opener last November 27, and Converge, 117-106, last November 30. The Hong Kong-based squad will try to continue winning as they are also fresh from a victory in their domestic league last Sunday. The team also begins a two-game, three-day stretch where it will also face TNT on Friday.
Deon Thompson set to debut
Rain or Shine gets a boost against Eastern with Deon Thompson set to make his debut after missing the conference opener as he was unable to complete his special work permit in time for Sunday’s game against Meralco. ROS coach Yeng Guiao spoke highly of Thompson, who he remembered playing as the naturalized player for Cote d’Ivoire in a tune-up game against Gilas Pilipinas as part of the build-up for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019.
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