SAN Miguel and Magnolia collide in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup rematch at Ynares Center, with Barangay Ginebra and Blackwater also part of the Sunday schedule.
Here’s what you need to know and what could be expected about the two games.
BLACKWATER VS. BARANGAY GINEBRA
When: Sunday, January 12. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Ginebra in rare curtain-raiser
Ginebra battles Blackwater in a rare first game of the day. The Gin Kings enter the contest in a share of sixth place with Meralco with a 5-3 win-loss record, and are out to bounce back from their 119-116 defeat to NorthPort last Wednesday.
Blackwater in must-win situation
The Bossing enter the ball game against the Gin Kings on a three-game losing skid after dropping a 122-106 decision to Rain or Shine last Wednesday. Blackwater is at 12th place with a 1-6 win-loss slate, and is now one-and-a-half game behind ninth-running NLEX, Magnolia, and Phoenix (3-5).
Guard presence needed
As of posting time, the status of Sedrick Barefield and RK Ilagan remain uncertain after missing the Bossing's last game.
Barefield has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, causing him to be out for three games this conference. In their last appearance, the duo combined for 36 points against TNT on December 19.
Ginebra gives up threes vs. NorthPort
Ginebra gave NorthPort the confidence it needed for the big game when the Gin Kings allowed the Batang Pier to score 14 threes, including seven in the first half.
Head coach Tim Cone rued how his team came out flat, and when once they mounted a late rally from 18 points down, it was too late. For Ginebra, giving up many threes must not happen, especially with Blackwater’s ability to hit from deep.
Brownlee out to atone
Justin Brownlee could be in line for a bounce back game after his performance against NorthPort where he committed eight turnovers and missed a crucial free throw in the end game.
Brownlee may very well explode in this game unless Blackwater will do something to do about it.
MAGNOLIA VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Sunday, January 12. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Last season’s finalists in bottom half of standings
San Miguel and Magnolia clash for the first time in the Commissioner’s Cup since they squared off in last season’s championship series.
Times are different now with the Beermen and Hotshots still finding their usual form. SMB is in eighth place with a 3-4 win-loss record, but is on a two-game losing skid, while Magnolia is in a share of ninth with a 3-5 slate.
Magnolia eyes second straight win
The Hotshots reinvigorated their quarterfinals bid last Friday when they edged Terrafirma, 89-84. Magnolia will now be going for its first winning streak of the conference, and a victory will definitely boost its chances of making the quarterfinals. A loss for the Hotshots could be fatal, with NLEX and Phoenix still right behind them.
SMB tries to break skid
San Miguel has lost two in a row, including a 93-81 defeat to Ginebra last week.
The Beermen haven't won a game against a traditional contender this conference, and a victory over the Hotshots would be huge to their quarterfinals chances.
Imports must step up now
Last season, Bennie Boatwright and Tyler Bey had a match-up to remember in the Commissioner's Cup finals. For Sunday's game, the two imports must also show up and help their respective teams in the important game.
Ricardo Ratliffe looks to be back to his usual self when he poured 32 points and 14 rebounds in Magnolia’s win over Terrafirma. Head coach Chito Victolero revealed that Ratliffe had been dealing with a shoulder injury early in the conference, but has now recovered. Could Ratliffe pull off another sterling performance?
Jabari Narcis had a decent performance in his second game during San Miguel’s 93-81 loss to Ginebra when he had 17 points and 10 rebounds, but it still wasn't enough for a victory. Narcis hasn’t made a huge impact overall for the Beermen, and it would be a perfect time if he does it against the Hotshots.
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