BARANGAY Ginebra and Magnolia renew their rivalry on Sunday night in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine, the hottest team in the league outside of unbeaten NLEX, looks to extend its unbeaten streak against Meralco in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader.
Read our preview of the two games.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. MERALCO
When: Sunday, August 2. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
In search of fourth straight
Rain or Shine is on a roll after a flat start, winning its third straight game last Friday at the expense of Magnolia, 98-97, with Adrian Nocum scoring the late basket. Since they lost to Meralco last July 18, Rain or Shine hasn’t dropped a game. A win by Rain or Shine will put them closer to Group B leader Phoenix Super LPG (4-1).
Meralco tries to regroup
Coming off an 84-75 loss to Ginebra last Friday, Meralco looks to get back to winning as another defeat could send them down to the bottom of Group B.
Stellar showing from Nocum
Adrian Nocum continued his outstanding play last Friday when he finished with a career-high 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals in their win over Magnolia. Nocum also scored the game-winning shot on a drive to the basket that extended their winning streak to three. Meralco must find a way to limit the production of Nocum for Sunday’s game.
Cansino, Quinto status uncertain
Meralco missed the services of CJ Cansino (hip) and Bong Quinto (vertigo) last Friday, and their absence was definitely felt as Meralco scored its lowest output in the conference at 75 against Ginebra. With only one day in between games, Cansino and Quinto could still be out for the match against Rain or Shine.
Cansino is Meralco’s best local scorer with an average of 14.3 points, while Quinto is the team’s best three-point shooter in terms of percentage at 57 percent.
BARANGAY GINEBRA VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Sunday, August 2. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
First of two Manila Clasicos
Ginebra and Magnolia battle in the first of two Manila Clasicos in this Governors’ Cup eliminations. If their previous game was any indication, fans are in for another close game. An RJ Abarrientos lay-up in the final moments helped Ginebra snatch a 91-89 win over Magnolia last April 10. The two will duel again on October 11.
Catch up
Both teams have been on a roller coaster ride this conference. Ginebra has an even 2-2 win-loss record, taking its previous game against Meralco, 84-75. Magnolia is at the bottom of Group B with a 1-3 win-loss mark, going down against Rain or Shine, 98-97, after Nocum scored the game-winning lay-up late.
RJ regains form
Abarrientos regained his scoring form last Friday when he scored a conference-high 27 points against Meralco. Shooting only 34 percent from the field in the first three games, Abarrientos knocked down 59 percent (10-of-17) his shots against Meralco. He will look to repeat that showing against Jerom Lastimosa and Mark Barroca.
Avoid errors
Magnolia lost to Rain or Shine in a game that could've easily been theirs. Although they only shot 29 percent from three-point range, the Hotshots had one of their best shooting nights from two-point range at 61 percent. However, Magnolia committed a conference-high 21 turnovers that led to the defeat. Magnolia was also one defensive stop away from a victory, but they failed to keep Nocum from scoring the game-winner. Magnolia certainly doesn’t want to fall 1-4 at the end of Sunday’s game.
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