TNT and Rain or Shine square off in a game between teams which have been on a roll as of late in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup. They also meet again following their battles in the playoffs.
Struggling teams Meralco and Blackwater battle as well in the first game of Wednesday’s double-header at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
Why the Tropang Giga and Elasto Painters will be a all about defense against offense, and more in this preview of the two matches.
MERALCO VS. BLACKWATER
When: Wednesday, May 21. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center – Antipolo
Hodge serves suspension
Meralco goes up against Blackwater without Cliff Hodge, as he serves his one-game suspension for his flagrant foul on Zavier Lucero in their match against Magnolia.
Meralco will certainly miss Hodge, who has been on a tear over the last three games with averages of 17 points and 7.7 rebounds, plus all his usual intangibles.
Slump nothing new for Bolts
The reigning champions have been struggling this conference. The Bolts have a 3-5 win-loss record, dropping those five over the last six games. If there is a good thing about this is that Meralco has been here before. The Bolts also went 3-5 in last season’s Philippine Cup, but still wound up winning the title.
Blackwater once beat Meralco
Blackwater has something to lean on in their game against Meralco. The Bossing won the last time both teams faced each other, defeating the Bolts, 114-98, last December 12 with Sedrick Barefield exploding for 33 points.
Barefield, David fresh for the game
Blackwater hasn’t played a game since it was beaten by Rain or Shine, 120-106, last May 7. With the days off, expect Barefield and Christian David, who have had their share of injuries this conference, to come in fresh 1-4 Blackwater.
Barefield is averaging 18 points through the four games he played, missing one due to a hamstring injury, while David has tallied 15 points per contest, even after he went zero after a case of an ankle sprain
RAIN OR SHINE VS. TNT
When: Wednesday, May 21. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center – Antipolo
Streaking teams collide
A winning streak will end on Wednesday in the tussle between Rain or Shine and TNT. The Elasto Painters have a 4-2 win-loss record and have won two straight games, including a 119-105 decision over erstwhile undefeated Magnolia last Sunday. After a slow start, the Tropang 5G have evened their record, going up to 3-3 after their third straight victory by defeating Meralco, 101-84, last May 11.
Rematch of semis
TNT and Rain or Shine renew their developing rivalry on Wednesday. The two have faced each other in the playoffs in the last three conferences, with the Tropang 5G winning the last two - both coming in the semifinals with a team led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who eventually brought them to the championship.
The Elasto Painters, though, won over TNT in the quarterfinals of last season’s Philippine Cup.
Defense vs. Offense
TNT’s defense was highlighted in its last three games, having limited its opponents to 81 points per game. The Tropang 5G now face the Elasto Painters, who are averaging 120 points in their four wins this conference. A low-scoring game might favor TNT.
It may rain threes tonight
TNT may be known for its defense over the last three wins, but the Tropang 5G have been hitting their shots, especially in their last game against Meralco where, thanks to Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana, they shot 16-of-32 (50 percent) from threes. Over the last three wins, TNT is also averaging 15 threes, and shooting 40-percent from that range.
Rain or Shine also used its three-point shooting as a weapon over its last two victories. Against Magnolia, all 12 players made a three on they way to making 15-of-31 attempts, bringing its average during the winning streak to 13.5.
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