RAIN or Shine and Barangay Ginebra will try to arrange a semifinal showdown in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup against separate quarterfinal foes on Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
Here is a preview of the quarterfinal matches.
SAN MIGUEL VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Friday, May 15. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Rain or Shine seeks semis berth
The Elasto Painters go for a spot in the semis when they take on the Beermen. After reaching the semis thrice in the last season, Rain or Shine could only come up with a quarters finish in the previous conference when it was beaten by Meralco despite a twice-to-beat advantage.
RoS is in the same situation this conference where it also has a playoff incentive, but hopes that won't even have to come into play by finishing the job right away vs. the Beermen.
SMB tries to arrange KO bout
San Miguel looks to fight another day by beating Rain or Shine. The Beermen finished at No. 6 at the end of elims, but if there is a team that can overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage, it's most definitely them.
One of the times that SMB overcame this exact predicament was in the 2019 Comm's Cup where the then-No. 7 seed downed No. 2 NorthPort.
Expect high-scoring game
Rain or Shine and San Miguel emerged as the most prolific teams in the elims in terms of offense. The Elasto Painters were No. 1 in points scored with an average of 112, while the Beermen were No. 2 at 106.5.
Bennie could be the difference
San Miguel lost to Rain or Shine, 116-112, in its elims game last April 8. But the Elasto Painters will be facing a different Beermen import this time with Bennie Boatwright replacing Justin Patton.
Boatwright averaged 32.4 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks in five games with the SMB, which boasted of a 4-1 record with him as reinforcement.
PHOENIX SUPER LPG VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, May 15. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Ginebra sets sights on semis
Barangay Ginebra will vie for a semis berth in its match against Phoenix Super LPG. The Gin Kings hold a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing the elims with a 9-3 standing, while also having momentum after winning their past two games.
Phoenix tries to extend conference
Phoenix will try to continue its Comm's Cup campaign by forcing a knockout bout against Ginebra. The Fuel Masters had a respectable showing in the elims, where they even had a close game against the Gin Kings for the first three quarters before losing, 109-96.
Ricci a question mark
Phoenix coach Charles Tiu said Ricci Rivero is a game-time decision due to a left hand injury he sustained weeks ago against TNT.
Rivero has been one of the big reasons for the Fuel Masters' rise, and even stands fourth in the statistical race for Best Player of the Conference.
Players to watch
RJ Abarrientos is running third in the BPC race after averaging 21.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals for the Gin Kings. Continued numbers by Abarrientos could lead to another Ginebra win.
On the other hand, one of the players who stepped up for Phoenix in its elims meeting with Ginebra was Kenneth Tuffin. He made 6-of-8 from three-point range then, and a repeat performance could mean the Fuel Masters living to fight another day.
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.
