BARANGAY Ginebra got its revenge against Rain or Shine while San Miguel remained on a roll as well in the PBA Governors Cup over the weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings found their touch from the outside and pulled away in the fourth quarter of a 124-102 blowout that exacted pay back to their 73-64 loss to the Elasto Painters in Candon, Ilocos Sur three weeks ago.
The Beermen meanwhile, cpasted to a 139-127 win over Phoenix in a game that marked the return of import Jordan Adams after briefly being replaced by Sheldon Mac.
Ginebra is now on a four-game winning run, while San Miguel on a three-game roll as the two seized the top spot in Group B along with Rain or Shine. All three carry identical 5-2 cards.
Here are some of the takeaways in Friday night’s games
1.ADAMS SHOULD STAY FOR GOOD WITH SMB
It was a surprise when the Beermen decided to replace Adams with Mac. And it came as a surprise too, when the team decided to bring Adams back just a game after being relegated to the injury/reserved list.
Coach Jorge Gallent already offered the reasons for the crucial move, but it’s obvious Adams complemented San Miguel much better. Adams took everything in stride, saying its part of the business, part of the job being an import. But he also made a strong case for himself when he erupted for 49 points in his return game with the Beermen, numbers which hopefully, will keep him his job for the rest of the campaign.
2.GINEBRA HOLDS BREATH FOR GO
Initially it appeared like a sprained ankle on Ginebra big man Isaac Go when he committed a landing spot against Rain or Shine rookie Felix Lemetti in the first quarter of their game. But coach Tim Cone later said it’s kind of like a knee injury that befell the former Ateneo center as he no longer returned to the game after just playing for 79 seconds.
The team has yet to issue a medical report on the condition of the 28-year-old Go, but Cone is already preparing for the inevitable of losing his young center to an injury with no definite time frame of his return.
3.MAKE THE PLAYOFFS RAIN OR SHINE’S IMMEDIATE GOAL
Losses against San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra pushed Rain or Shine to a three-way tie on top of Group B with similar 5-2 records. While finishing no. 1 in the group remains a tight battle, Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is concerned about the 22-point losing margin they suffered against the Kings factoring in the quotient system should the trend maintains until the end of the group stage.
But whether his side finishes on top or at best at nos. 2 or 3, Guiao stressed making it to the next round is of utmost importance. Then Rain or Shine will take everything from there.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
