BARANGAY Ginebra shoots for a quarterfinal berth on Sunday when it battles struggling Titan Ultra in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
But the biggest game of this playdate is the action between Phoenix Super LPG and Converge, teams which have playoff aspirations heading into their must-win match-up.
Here is a preview.
PHOENIX SUPER LPG VS. CONVERGE
When: Sunday, April 26. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Key match-up for playoff positioning
Phoenix Super LPG and Converge lock horns on Sunday in an all-important battle that will have a serious impact on the playoff race.
The Fuelmasters, after their 87-83 win over Rain or Shine last Tuesday, sit at sixth place with a 5-3 win-loss record. A win on Sunday would bring them in a tie with TNT, and within reach of a Top Four spot. A loss will pull the Fuelmasters closer to Magnolia and San Miguel, which are seventh on 4-5 win-loss records.
READ Phoenix, Charles Tiu bracing for a scrap against stacked Converge
The FiberXers, after their huge 97-92 win over TNT last Wednesday, revived their playoff hopes with a 3-6 win-loss record. Converge needs a vital win in order to stay closer to Magnolia and San Miguel in the standings.
New import for Converge
Converge finally pulled the plug on Kylor Kelley as the FiberXers bring in Donovan Smith to help them in the playoff chase. Incidentally, Smith will be facing his old team in his return after he compiled aveages of 30.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks for Phoenix in last season's Commissioner's Cup wars.
Back to form is Arana
Justin Arana's numbers continue to spike for Converge as he had 21 points and 10 rebounds in their recent win over TNT. Arana attributed a return to his natural position of center as the reason for improved numbers. With Donovan Smith now in the team, can Arana sustain his production?
Phoenix guards
Tyler Tio and Evan Nelle contributed big time for Phoenix in their recent win over Rain or Shine. Tio had his best game of the conference with 16 points, three rebounds, and five assists. Nelle dished out eight assists while also scoring 12 points in the match-up versus Rain or Shine. The duo must continue to their superb play as they face their counterparts in Juan Gomez de Liano, Alec Stockton, and Mikey Williams.
Tiu faces old ballclub
Phoenix Super LPG coach Charles Tiu faces a team where he once became an assistant coach, and he know that they are dangerous foes.
"They are a great team. We have to dig deep to find a way to upset them, I guess. Their record doesn't show how good a team they are," Tiu said.
TITAN ULTRA VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Sunday, April 26. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Which streak will end tonight
Ginebra tries to sustain its four-game winning streak when it goes up against struggling Titan Ultra on Sunday.
In their previous outing, Ginebra pulled off a hard-earned a 115-108 win over Blackwater to improve to 6-2. A win move the Gins into a tie with NLEX at second place - enough to secure a quarterfinal berth.
Titan Ultra is on a three-game skid after its 119-107 loss to Macau that got the Black Knights their first win in the Commissioner's Cup.
More of Fran Yu's play
Fran Yu had a career-night against Macau when he supplied 35 points for Titan Ultra albeit in a loss. Over the course of the conference, Yu has been the facilitator but for this night, Titan Ultra may need him to score more as it faces a mighty Ginebra team.
Titan Ultra's defense
In terms of defense, Titan Ultra isn't actually far behind, registering a 12-9 advantage in steals and 6-4 in blocks against Macau the last time up. The Giant Risers are also averaging 10.1 steals per contest. Unfortunately, Macau shot the lights out by making 19 threes and one four against Titan Ultra, bringing the Giant Risers’ defensive rating to 112.4, one of the worst in the league. Titan needs to intensify its defense against Ginebra, which had six players in double digits led by Justin Brownlee (21).
Japeth likely out
Japeth Aguilar will likely be out of Sunday's game against Titan Ultra after being confined in a hospital after a hard fall to the floor against Blackwater. Aguilar coughed blood and had air in his chest, but is reportedly in stable condition. Barangay Ginebra has enough tools to make up for the absence of Aguilar led by Troy Rosario, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds against the Bossing.
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