TWO teams will be shooting for a share of the lead with Rain or Shine in Group B of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Here’s a preview of the match-ups.
Phoenix vs. NLEX
When: Sunday, August 25, 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Going for share of lead
The Road Warriors go for their second win and joint first in Group B. NLEX defeated Blackwater, 104-87, with Robert Bolick narrowly finishing with a triple-double after a 24-point, nine-rebound, 11-assist night.
Three-point shooting
NLEX lit it up from downtown by launching 15 threes, the conference high so far, and making 56 percent of their shots from that range, with Bolick and import Myke Henry each having four threes. Phoenix will need to defend the perimeter well in order to have a chance.
Players to watch
Jayveous McKinnis had a decent outing with 13 points and 15 rebounds despite being in foul trouble in their 111-107 loss to San Miguel last Wednesday. The Phoenix import needs to stay on the floor to help the Fuelmasters clinch their first win of the conference.
Myke Henry had an impressive showing by tallying 31 points and 10 rebounds, although he committed 10 turnovers in the win over Blackwater. NLEX needs a repeat of Henry’s effort to claim that second win.
Blackwater vs. San Miguel
When: Sunday, August 25, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
June Mar in line for another dominant showing
In his first game since winning his eighth MVP, June Mar Fajardo dominated Phoenix with 37 points, 24 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Like NLEX, San Miguel is also going for win No. 2 and a share of the lead in Group B, and in order to do so, it goes without saying that Fajardo must play a similar effort to achieve it. That spells trouble for the Blackwater bigs.
Will Ricky Ledo show up?
Blackwater is facing a daunting task of breaking its shaky 0-2 win-loss start marred by the struggles of its import Ricky Ledo, who has combined to shot 6-of-38 from the field. There is no official word on whether Ledo has been replaced as of posting time which means he remains Blackwater’s import for the showdown against powerhouse San Miguel.
Three-point shooting
The Beermen won the game over the Fuelmasters even with a 3-of-20 clip from threes in the game where Marcio Lassiter didn’t see action.
The Bossing lost against the Road Warriors even with a 10-of-34 shooting from threes, still not good enough after NLEX buried 15 in its games.
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