WEEK 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup begins with a marquee match-up between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra in Group B. It will be the second game of the day with TNT facing Converge in the curtain-raiser at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Here’s what to know about the Tuesday doubleheader:
Converge vs. TNT
When: Tuesday, August 27, 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Try to stay on top of Group A
TNT is the lone unbeaten team in Group A and it wants to stay that way when it plays Converge. The Tropang Giga looked like a team possessed when they manhandled recent PBA champions Meralco Bolts, 93-73, with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scoring 25 points and taking down 12 rebounds.
Converge, on the other hand, lost to Magnolia Chicken Timplados, 105-93, last Friday to even its record to 1-1.
RHJ leads TNT’s defense
Hollis-Jefferson is doing heavy duty for TNT. He not only scores but has been doing a lot of defensive work. Hollis-Jefferson had three steals and three blocks to help TNT shut down Meralco’s offense that was limited to only 73 points. TNT also forced Meralco to make 17 turnovers.
Players to watch
Kevin Racal has been on fire from the outside in his first two games, nailing a total of eight three-pointers, five against Magnolia. Sustaining his production will be a bonus for Converge.
After a 21-point outing in its season opener against Terrafirma, Alec Stockton suddenly lost his touch. He only had three points against Magnolia.
But Poy Erram is on the rise. There's no sign of rust despite a one-year absence due to an injury,. He scored 15 points and had six rebounds against Meralco.
San Miguel vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: Tuesday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Sister squads clash
The PBA set an early clash in the Governors’ Cup between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra, a salivating encounter that may have future implications. The two teams, both under the banner of the San Miguel business conglomerate, are title favorites. It's the first of two encounters in group matches. They meet again on September 15.
San Miguel is currently 2-0 while Barangay Ginebra aiming for win No. 1. The Beermen beat Blackwater convincingly, 128-108, last Sunday while the Gin Kings suffered a 73-64 loss to Rain or Shine last Saturday in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
Who will explode for SMB?
Two players have been taking turns scoring for the Beermen. In SMB’s first game, June Mar Fajardo had 37 points and 24 rebounds in the 111-107 win over Phoenix. Last Sunday, it was import Jordan Adams who took the cudgels and scored 50 points against import-less Blackwater.
RJ out to bounce back
It was a game that RJ Abarrientos would rather forget. In his first game in the PBA, Abarrientos fired blanks, missing 14 of 15 attempts in Barangay Ginebra’s loss to Rain or Shine. If there’s a game where he can prove critics wrong, it will be in this game against San Miguel.
Shooting woes
Abarrientos wasn’t alone in misfiring from the field. In his first game with Ginebra, Isaac Go shot 1-of-14 while former MVP Scottie Thompson was 1-of-10 from the field. No wonder the team lost the game.
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