RAIN or Shine looks to regain its winning ways against NLEX, while TNT faces Magnolia, both games relevant to positioning in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal race.
Here’s the details of the first playdate of the final week of eliminations in the conference.
Rain or Shine vs. NLEX
When: Tuesday, September 17. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Rain or Shine seeks share of lead in crucial outing
The Elasto Painters are coming off a 124-102 defeat against Barangay Ginebra last Friday, and will seek to make up for that loss in their match-up against NLEX. Even with the rout, Rain or Shine remains in position to regain the share of lead with San Miguel in Group B as it seeks to improve to 6-2.
A loss would bring the Elasto Painters in joint second with Barangay Ginebra. It is important to note that if Ginebra and Rain or Shine end up together at the end of the eliminations, the Elasto Painters will lose the tiebreaker, making Rain or Shine’s game against NLEX an important one in the rankings.
Crucial tiff for NLEX
NLEX is also in an important game against Rain or Shine with the team being in fourth place with a 3-4 win-loss record. The Road Warriors have lost three in a row, and need to arrest the skid to avoid being in a tie once again with fellow playoff-seeking team Blackwater, which lost to Phoenix last Sunday to slid to fifth in Group B.
Dequan Jones, Javee Mocon make NLEX debut
NLEX has decided to switch imports with Dequan Jones replacing Myke Henry. Jones has a brief stint with the Orlando Magic early in his pro career, and once played with former Road Warrior Kiefer Ravena during their time with the Shiga Lakes last year.
Meanwhile, Javee Mocon is also making his NLEX debut after the Road Warriors acquired him in a trade with Phoenix for Ato Ular and a future draft pick.
Starters vs. bench
Rain or Shine will try to once again look to display its deep rotation for the game. The Elasto Painters lead the league in bench points with 57.43 a game, even getting 46 points from the non-starters in their defeat against the Gin Kings.
NLEX is one of the leaders in starters points, being at third in the league with 71.14 behind San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra, and the Road Warriors will lean on the first five in the match-up against Rain or Shine.
Magnolia vs. TNT
When: Tuesday, September 17. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Contrasting wins in previous games
TNT and Magnolia are coming off contrasting victories in their last outing. The Tropang Giga won over Meralco, 108-99, where they led by as many as 14 points. The Hotshots escaped with a 99-98 victory over Terrafirma where Shabazz Muhammad drained a last-second floater that turned out to be the game-winner.
Battle for positioning
With a 6-1 win-loss record, TNT will seek to stay in first place in Group A after its win over Meralco last Thursday. After its close victory over Terrafirma to remain in third place with a 4-3 win-loss record, Magnolia goes for a victory to gain a small separation between Converge (4-4) and NorthPort (3-5), still within striking distance of the final two playoff spots.
Defensive battle
Expect a defensive tussle between TNT and Magnolia. Both teams are giving up the least points in the conference at 89.29 and 93.86 respectively. The Tropang Giga give up the least perimeter points with 30.71, while the Hotshots are only allowing opponents to shoot 41.62 percent from the field, the best in the league.
Import match-up
The match-up between Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Shabazz Muhammad, players with similar backgrounds of owning extensive experience in the NBA early in their careers before playing international ball. Hollis-Jefferson had 22 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists against TNT, while Muhammad, playing his debut with Magnolia last Thursday, finished with 20 points and four rebounds, including the game-winner against Terrafirma.
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