The PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup semifinals resumes on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, with San Miguel aiming to sweep its semifinal series against Rain or Shine.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra looks to tie the series against Meralco.
Here are the keys to Game Four.
Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco
Meralco leads the series, 2-1
When: Friday, May 24. 4:30 p.m.
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
MERALCO’S DEFENSE
Defense will continue to be the key in Game Four. The Bolts have been forcing the Gin Kings to earn every point. Meralco limited Ginebra to 36 percent shooting from the field, including a 5-of-21 clip (23 percent) from three-point range. The Bolts also collected five steals in Game Three, causing the Gin Kings to commit 14 turnovers.
WHO WILL STEP UP FOR GINEBRA?
Another pressing question for Game Four is who will step up for Ginebra. Only three players scored in double figures, while several others struggled in Game Three. Scottie Thompson, for instance, shot just 2-of-13 from the field.
BOLTS’ ONE-TWO PUNCH
Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome have been prolific offensively for Meralco, averaging 20.5 and 17 points over the past two victories over Barangay Ginebra. The Gin Kings must contain at least one of them in order to have a chance in Game Four.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brandon Bates has been getting extra minutes being an additional body to guard Christian Standhardinger. The Meralco rookie also had a solid outing in the stat sheet, delivering six points and nine rebounds for the Bolts.
Ralph Cu hasn’t been connecting from downtown with only two in Ginebra’s two losses in the semifinals, four less than what he made in Game One of the series.
San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine
San Miguel leads series, 3-0
When: Friday, May 24. 7:30 p.m
Where: SM Mall of Asia Arena
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
GAME OVER FOR RAIN OR SHINE?
Only one team has come back from a 0-3 hole in any series in the PBA. Of course, it’s the San Miguel team that captured the 2016 Philippine Cup.
FIGHTING TILL THE END
The Elasto Painters have shown resilience against the formidable Beermen but have struggled to close out games. In Game Three, they held a 94-93 lead early in the fourth quarter, with their fast break plays yielding 22 points. Will we see the same fight from Rain or Shine in the elimination game? Could Game Four finally bring the breakthrough win for Rain or Shine?
CJ PEREZ MAKES NOISE
June Mar Fajardo’s dominance has been the storyline in the first two games of the series, but CJ Perez finally got back to his usual numbers by scoring a team-high 23 points. Even better, Perez grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds. Will we see the same numbers for ‘The Predator’ in Game Four?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marcio Lassiter has made a total of 12 threes, or four per game, in this semifinals series. While Rain or Shine has been hitting their outside shots, the Elasto Painters have not contained Lassiter and Co. from downtown.
Game Three saw Rain or Shine bigs Beau Belga and Keith Datu combining for 11 threes, a series-best. They must continue that rate in order to keep June Mar Fajardo busy on defense in Game Four, and give themselves another chance to extend the series.
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