TWO teams will come out of Sunday’s Game 3 with the upperhand in their respective series in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Sunday’s playdate comes on the heels of news that TNT reinforcement Bol Bol, arguably one of the most high-profile imports to play in the PBA, is no longer playing due to an Achilles tear that he sustained in Game 2.
READ Timely boost for ROS as Caelan Tiongson returns for Game 3
Here is a preview.
MERALCO VS. TNT
When: Sunday, May 24. 5:15 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Bol Bol-less TNT goes for 2-1 lead
TNT goes for the lead in the semifinals against Meralco after the unfortunate news that its super import Bol Bol will no longer play for the rest of the conference due to an Achilles tear in his left foot. TNT is also likely to play without Bol’s replacement Malick Diouf as he has yet to submit his papers to make him eligible to play in Game 3.
Bolts look to take advantage
With TNT likely to play without an import, Meralco must take advantage. But head coach Luigi Trillo warned that TNT remains a strong team with an all-Filipino line-up, as proof of their consecutive finals appearance in the Philippine Cup over the last two seasons. The Tropang 5G were also able to keep the game close until the fourth where they outscored the Bolts, 30-19.
Oftana, Pogoy could take over
With Bol Bol no longer playing, expect RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana to play a huge role to TNT’s offense in Game 2. Pogoy is averaging 24 points, while Oftana has an 18.0 cliip during the series. Their numbers could rise with Bol out and an import still doubtful for Game 3.
Defending without fouling
After limiting their opponent to only 11 free throw attempts in Game 1, the Tropang 5G gave up 35 free throw attempts to the Bolts, who made 24 in Game 2. Some TNT players were in foul trouble in Game 2 with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser having five fouls, and Calvin Oftana, Glenn Khobuntin, and Kelly Williams each getting four.
Limited production from Cansino
CJ Cansino has yet to produce his numbers from the eliminations. After being the leading scorer among Meralco locals with 16 per contest, Cansino has been limited to only 8.5 points during the semifinals. Cansino appears to be playing hurt as he wore a mask in Game 2. Meralco needs Cansino’s production for Sunday’s contest.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Sunday, May 24. 7:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Who will take Game 3?
Ginebra and Rain or Shine go back to the court on Sunday in search of a 2-1 series lead in the semifinals. The Gin Kings evened things up with a 109-101 win last Friday following a hot-shooting night in the first half.
JB, RJ taking lead role
Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos lit up in Game 2 where they helped Ginebra shot 10-of-20 from threes in the first half. Brownlee shot 5-of-8 from threes and finished with 31 points. Abarrientos was not far behind with 25 points on 3-of-6 from threes. More importantly, Abarrientos was able to facilitate with six assists.
Clarito continues to spark ROS
Jhonard Clarito remained consistent in the semifinals when he finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. In Game 1, Clarito had 25 points and six rebounds, while playing the hero’s role in Rain or Shine’s come-from-behind 115-111 win. Clarito also fueled Rain or Shine’s comeback bid in Game 2 with 11 points in the fourth.
Players to watch
Mike Malonzo has emerged to become part of Rain or Shine’s rotation in this series. With more minutes, Malonzo has averaged 10 points and four rebounds, and head coach Yeng Guiao definitely hopes that the trend continues.
Sunday could be a breakout night for Stephen Holt if he gets out of his offensive slump in Game 3. He is only averaging 5.0 points and shooting just 33 percent from the field in the series.
JJ misfires from threes
Jaylen Johnson was mostly firing blanks from the outside in Game 2. Though he finished with 19 points, he shot just 2-of-11 from threes, and missed two four-pointers in the loss. As a team, Rain or Shine didn’t fare well from threes, making 10 of its 41 attempts or 24.4 percent from the closer arc. Johnson will look to bounce back on Sunday.
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