RAIN or Shine seeks to recover from its first defeat in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup when it goes up against Magnolia in an important clash Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Also in this preview is the match-up between NLEX and Terrafirma, also crucial to the two teams' respective playoff hopes.
TERRAFIRMA VS. NLEX
When: Saturday, April 25. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Out to get back to winning ways
NLEX seeks to regain its winning form in its game against Terrafirma after its 98-94 loss to San Miguel last Sunday. The Road Warriors are now in a tie for second with Barangay Ginebra both at 6-2. They need a win with the race for twice-to-beat incentives intensifying.
Losing streak must end for Dyip
Terrafirma is in a must-win against NLEX, having already lost five in a row after a promising 3-0 start. The Dyip are on the edge at ninth place, with their most recent match being a 111-103 loss to Barangay Ginebra last week. A win will get Terrafirma back in the conversation for a quarterfinal berth.
Winston's scoring ways
Schonny Winston has been a consistent scorer for NLEX over the past three games where he is averaging close to 22 points per game.
The Road Warriors need Winston to keep up his play even more after Kevin Alas was relegated to the injured list due to a dislocated finger.
Inconsistent Ali
Mubashar Ali could only come up with 14 points and 10 rebounds against Ginebra after producing 32 points and 19 rebounds in a loss to Rain or Shine. Ali must go back to his play in his first three games where he averaged 33 points and 19.6 rebounds.
Fourth quarter points
Terrafirma has shown over the past two games that it can score in the fourth quarter, averaging 38 in the contests against Rain or Shine and Ginebra. The Dyip were able to do this, as they tried to mount comebacks in the end.
MAGNOLIA VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Saturday, April 25. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Important games for both squads
Rain or Shine and Magnolia lock horns in an important game that could determine their fate in the next phase of the conference.
The Elasto Painters are on top with a 7-1 win-loss record, but their first defeat against Phoenix Super LPG, 87-83, last Tuesday closed the gap from teams such as NLEX (6-2), Ginebra (6-2), Meralco (5-2), and TNT (6-3) in the race for not just the No. 1 seed, but twice-to-beat incentives, as well.
The Hotshots, meantime, are back on track for at least a quarterfinal berth after picking up a 106-94 win over Converge last Sunday to take the seventh spot with a 4-4 record. A win will be huge in their quest for one of the twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals.
A lot of missed gimmes
Rain or Shine was atrocious from the field in its first loss of the conference where it scored its lowest output.
The Elasto Painters shot just 31-percent from the field, all while missing 18 lay-ups. With the pressure of maintaining their unbeaten slate now gone, expect RoS to play a lot more loose, as it tries to build another winning streak.
Emphasis on limiting turnovers
Magnolia may have started winning, but it continues to cough up a lot of turnovers. The Hotshots had 16 last time against Converge that were converted into 16 points. Magnolia can't afford to make a lot of turnovers against a Rain or Shine squad that can run the break at all times.
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.
