THE PBA Philippine Cup plays a double-header on Wednesday before taking a break for the Holy Week. The main game will be a big match-up with the winner taking the solo lead before the respite.
NORTHPORT VS. RAIN OR SHINE
When: Wednesday, April 16. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Eyeing second win
NorthPort gets a test on Wednesday when it takes on Rain or Shine. The Batang Pier are coming off a 97-75 victory over lowly Terrafirma last Saturday to open the conference on a high note. Even though their opponent is fresh from a loss, NorthPort is definitely not taking Rain or Shine for granted.
E-Painters vie for first win
Rain or Shine started the conference with a 109-95 loss to NLEX last Saturday in a game where they struggled to hit their shots by making 41 percent, with their opponent making 55 percent. After Xyrus Torres and Robert Bolick gave them fits in their first game, the Elasto Painters will now be dealing with Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference Arvin Tolentino.
Promising start for Caelan
Caelan Tiongson picked up the slack for Rain or Shine in its first game by producing 24 points and seven rebounds against NLEX.
Tiongson’s performance is welcome news for the Elasto Painters who will be playing minus veteran Beau Belga for at least three weeks due to vertigo.
SAN MIGUEL VS. MAGNOLIA
When: Wednesday, April 16. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Battle for the lead
San Miguel and Magnolia battle before the league takes a Holy Week break in a slam-bang affair between two marquee teams. The Beermen and the Hotshots sport similar 2-0 win-loss records, with one team about to claim solo lead in the standings.
Defense is name of the game for Hotshots
Magnolia has been priding itself with its defense this conference, and it has shown by limiting its opponents to an average of 77.5 points per game, which the Hotshots must also yield against the Beermen if they want a chance to win. So far, San Miguel is scoring an average of 104 points this conference.
June Mar vs. Magnolia’s bigs
The battle inside will also be under the spotlight with June Mar Fajardo taking on Ian Sangalang down low. Fajardo is averaging 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, while Sangalang is also putting in good numbers with 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Fajardo, however, may have to deal with the other bigs of Magnolia, as head coach Chito Victolero has been spreading the minutes and allowing players such as James Laput, Russel Escoto, and even Rafi Reavis to get additional playing time early in the conference.
Outstanding start for CJ Perez
It looks like CJ Perez is getting his groove back on offense, as he now has an average of 28.5 points for the Beermen. In last conference’s Commissioner’s Cup, Perez was only at 16 a game. If Perez continues his explosion on the offensive end, San Miguel will have great odds of winning the ballgame against the Hotshots.
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