THE restart of the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup on Wednesday features a Group A affair with NLEX looking to stay in front of the pack and TNT aiming to keep itself in step for a quarterfinal berth.
Here is a preview.
NLEX VS. MACAU
When: Wednesday, October 7. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Aiming for quarters
NLEX goes for a place in the quarters against Macau in the first game of the PBA restart. The Road Warriors are in a share of first-place in Group A alongside San Miguel, both with 7-2 records, and another victory will ensure they will be inside the top four.
NLEX will have the advantage in confidence, as it defeated the Giant Pandas, 114-75, in the conference opener last July 10.
Burton debuts
Deonte Burton makes his PBA debut after taking over for DeQuan Jones, who underwent surgery in his knee and foot due to a gruesome injury against TNT last August 11. Familiarity with how Jimmy Alapag coaches is one of the qualities that Burton possesses after the two worked together in the Stockton Kings in the NBA GLeague.
New-look Macau
Macau is out to stay within striking distance of one of the four quarterfinal berths, but the Giant Pandas will be doing so without their local core of Damian Chongqui, Ramon Cao, and Jenning Leung, who have signed in the EASL. They also have a new import in Oscar Lopez, replacing DeVondre Perry. Kobey Lam and Jeffrey Ma are among the players that need to step up.
TERRAFIRMA VS. TNT
When: Wednesday, October 7. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Hornsby sees action
TNT is unleashing its new import Nick Hornsby for the PBA restart. The former Sacramento State standout replaced Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, who went home due to the passing of his grandmother. Hornsby was also signed with resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still not a 100-percent from the Achilles injury he suffered in the EASL.
Oftana, Castro now healthy
Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro are in line for their conference debut. Oftana missed the first part of the conference due to a hamstring strain and toe injury.
Castro, on the other hand, hasn’t played since he sprained his ankle in Game 6 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals against Barangay Ginebra.
Chase for quarterfinal berths
With injuries to its stars, TNT has an even 4-4 record after its runner-up finish in the Comm's Cup. That stretch included a 111-106 overtime loss to Terrafirma last July 25.
The Tropang 5G are just one game ahead of the Dyip (3-5) for the fourth and final quarterfinal berth in Group A, making this game a crucialone.
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