A BLOCKBUSTER match is set to take place at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum as Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra face off with the race for the top seed still wide open in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
Like Rain or Shine and Ginebra, Meralco will look to bolster its twice-to-beat quest against also-ran Blackwater in the first game.
Here is a preview of the two games.
MERALCO VS. BLACKWATER
When: Sunday, May 3. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Bolts eye twice-to-beat spot
Meralco tries to strengthen its hold on a twice-to-beat advantage in the game against Blackwater. The Bolts resurrected their bid for the incentive after beating Ginebra, 112-91, just last Friday. Meralco only had one day to prepare for Blackwater.
Blackwater out for strong finish
Blackwater is already out of the running for a quarterfinal berth but the Bossing intend to finish the conference with a bang. The Bossing will look to bounce back after their 123-119 loss to Macau last Tuesday.
Upshaw status
Blackwater import Robert Upshaw didn't suit up in their previous outing against Macau due to a calf injury. Sources, however, said that Upshaw is on his way to a full recovery, and could be in action on Sunday, barring any change of heart.
Bench support
The bench could play a factor in this game. Meralco showed its depth against Ginebra when their reserves outscored the Kings' bench, 43-24. It was the same story for Blackwater, outpointing the Macau bench, 64-17.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Sunday, May 3. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
No. 2 vs. No. 3
Rain or Shine and Ginebra battle in what promises to be an exciting game. The winner of the match will boost its bid for a twice-to-beat advantage and a higher seeding in the quarterfinals.
The match could also be a semifinal preview if their rankings stand at the end of the elimination round, making this game a must-see.
Coming off losses
Rain or Shine and Ginebra will look to bounce back from defeats in their previous game. The Elasto Painters lost to NLEX, 92-90, last Wednesday after JB Bahio knocked down a jumper with 0.3 seconds left to drop their record to 8-2. The Gin Kings' five-game win streak came to a halt last Friday when they were defeated by Meralco, 112-91.
Lackadaisical effort
Law of averages may have caught up on the Gin Kings in their game against Meralco. Ginebra was outscored, 29-13, in the second quarter, after shooting just 31 percent from the field, and didn't seem to have the energy to mount a comeback in the game where they later trailed by as many as 33. The Gin Kings should be refreshed as they try to get back on the winning track, and face a run-and-gun Elasto Painters team.
Troy contained
Troy Rosario's two-game stretch of double-doubles came to an end on Friday when he was contained to just four points and seven rebounds. His production is needed with Japeth Aguilar still doubtful after a lung condition related to a hard fall in the game against Blackwater.
Mamu slips
After a string of solid games offensively where he averaged 15.5 points over the last six games, Gian Mamuyac was limited to eight points in the Rain or Shine defeat to NLEX. If Mamuyac returns to his usual scoring ways, the Elasto Painters will have a better chance at winning.
Free throws
Rain or Shine looked headed for a win against NLEX. In the end, two missed free throws by Jhonard Clarito proved costly, giving the Road Warriors the opening to steal the win. The Elasto Painters missed a total of six free throws out of the 13 it attempted, something that they need to improve on ahead of the Ginebra game.
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