RAIN or Shine is back in action in a bid to stay unscathed in the PBA Governors’ Cup group stage, as Barangay Ginebra goes for another win in Friday’s doubleheader at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rain or Shine vs. Phoenix
When: Friday, August 30, 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Seeking to stretch their unbeaten start
Rain or Shine will be going for its fourth consecutive win in its match against Phoenix. The Elasto Painters beat NLEX, 124-105, behind Jhonard Clarito’s 24-point outing, matching its 2021 Philippine Cup feat where they won three in a row to start the conference. The odds are in favor of Rain or Shine to continue its streak as it face winless Phoenix.
Phoenix playing without an import?
The Fuelmasters have relegated Jayveous McKinnis to the reserve list to bring in Le’Bryan Nash for the Rain or Shine game. Unfortunately, Nash went above the height limit after being measured at 6-foot-6 and three-fourths, and is not eligible to play for the Fuelmasters this conference. McKinnis though isn’t allowed to be reactivated for the Friday game.
So near yet so far
Phoenix began the conference with a 0-2 start but the two defeats have been close, losing to San Miguel by just four points, and forcing NLEX to earn its 100-95 win following a late push.
How to neutralize Rain or Shine’s depth
The question that Phoenix must solve is how to contain the firepower of Rain or Shine from the first to the 13th guy. Yeng Guiao has been getting productions from everyone as the Elasto Painters got 45 starters points and 79 bench points from their match against NLEX. The game against Ginebra in Candon saw a similar balance with Rain or Shine receiving 41 starters points and 32 bench points.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Blackwater
When: Friday, August 30, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Where they stand
Barangay Ginebra is currently in fourth spot in the team standings with a 1-1 win-loss record, and a victory will propel it to a tie for second with San Miguel and NLEX. Blackwater is still winless in three games, and sits at the bottom of Group B.
New import for Blackwater
Blackwater will be playing with a new import in former Phoenix Suns second-rounder George King after replacing Ricky Ledo, who was unable to live to his potential in the two games with the team. Initially, Blackwater wanted ro bring in former San Miguel import Cameron Clark but he became unavailable at the last minute.
What will Brownlee do for an encore
Justin Brownlee is coming off a 51-point performance for Ginebra in its 108-102 win over San Miguel last Sunday, and he will definitely look for a similar feat in Friday’s game especially with his twin sister Justina still around to watch him before she returns to the United States.
Players to watch
Isaac Go has a rough start in a Ginebra uniform as he has only shot 3-of-22 (14 percent) in his first two games with the team, and the game against Blackwater could be an opportunity for him to break out of a slump.
James Kwekuteye, on the other hand, has a good start to his conference, averaging 11.3 points and shooting 63 percent from three-point range (10-of-16) for the Bossing.
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