TNT goes for a finals berth to draw closer to a Grand Slam in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup on Friday against Rain or Shine. Meanwhile, San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra vie for the semifinal lead when the scene shifts to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Here is a preview of the twin Game 5s and why the decision of the Gin Kings to sit Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson in the fourth quarter of Game 4 could be a key in the semifinal series.
TNT VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Friday, July 4. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
TNT goes for finals berth
TNT looks to secure a finals seat on Friday when it faces Rain or Shine in Game 5. The Tropang 5G overcame injuries once more to beat the Elasto Painters, 108-92. If it goes on to advance, TNT will move four victories away from rare air.
Bevy of TNT players likely out; Chot suspended for Game 5
TNT will have to win Game 5 with a lean line-up. RR Pogoy remains out for due to a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last three games. Kelly Williams sprained his ankle in Game 4, and if he plays, he will certainly be not 100-percent.
READ: Chot Reyes suspended for TNT's closeout game versus Rain or Shine
One person that is certainly out for the Tropang 5G is head coach Chot Reyes, who received an automatic suspension from the league for accumulating his fifth technical foul last Wednesday.
Horrendous shooting for Rain or Shine in Game 4
Rain or Shine fell to TNT in Game 4 and one of the reasons why is bad shooting. The Elasto Painters only made 29 of its 90 shots.
Several players couldn’t find the mark including Adrian Nocum (5-of-17), Santi Santillan (4-of-10), Caelan Tiongson (4-of-10), and Andrei Caracut (3-of-16).
Will the collective effort continue for TNT?
TNT’s win in Game 5 had a lot of heroes – from Jordan Heading to Calvin Oftana to even Brian Heruela coming off an ankle sprain. And collective effort is something that the Tropang 5G must continue and for Rain or Shine to contain.
SAN MIGUEL VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Friday, July 4. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
SMB, Ginebra aim for semis edge
San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra return for another face-off in Game 5, with the winner stepping closer to a finals berth. The Beermen tied the series at 2-2 after a 107-82 win over the Gin Kings.
Bad shooting night this time for Ginebra
When San Miguel lost Game 3, the Beermen only shot 3-of-28 from threes, while Ginebra went 10-of-27. It was the other way around in Game 4 when the Gin Kings shot 6-of-26 from the same area, as the Beermen bounced back by making 14-of-28. Three-point shooting could again be the difference in Game 5.
Japeth, Scottie sit out fourth quarter of Game 4
Ginebra had an interesting ploy in the fourth quarter of Game 4 when head coach Tim Cone decided to rest most of his starters. Aguilar and Thompson didn’t even play in that final frame with San Miguel already holding a big lead.
Will the decision to rest Aguilar and Thompson, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, be key for the Gin Kings in Game 5?
June Mar continues to play more minutes
After a calf injury in Game 1, June Mar Fajardo looks better as the series progresses, as far as numbers are concerned.
READ: June Mar Fajardo reveals injured calf actually has slight tear
Fajardo saw action for 31 minutes in Game 5, already near his elimination round average of 33 minutes. He also tallied 12 points and 19 rebounds. 'The Kraken' could be back in full strength for Game 5.
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.
