THE PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup semifinals shift to Dasmariñas, Cavite with TNT looking for a 3-0 lead against Rain or Shine, and San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra set to scramble to take the upper hand in their own best-of-seven tussle.
Here’s a preview of Game Three.
San Miguel vs. Barangay Ginebra
When: Sunday, October 13. 5 p.m.
Where: City of Dasmarinas Arena, Cavite
Series tied
San Miguel knotted the series last Friday after a 131-125 overtime victory over Barangay Ginebra where both teams made big shot after big shot until Terrence Romeo buried one of the most crucial shots in Game Two- a four-pointer on his way to finishing with 26 points.
CJ Perez starting to play his best in the playoffs
While Terrence Romeo deservingly got the spotlight in Game Two, it would be a remiss if CJ Perez doesn’t get his flowers. Perez played his best game of the entire playoffs by finishing with 28 points and 12 rebounds in last Friday’s victory – a possible sign of things to come for the Beermen unless the Gin Kings do something about it.
Quick scores for Ginebra may be needed in Game Three
A team that doesn’t usually lean on its running game, Ginebra totalled 15 fastbreak points in Game Two - high for a team was only averaging 11 and at 11th place in the statistical department during the eliminations. It’s a sign that the Gin Kings are finding ways to neutralize the deliberate offense that San Miguel is known for. Fastbreaks could be a factor in Game Three especially after SMB made 46 points in the paint.
Ginebra might need bounce-back games from Holt, Abarrientos
Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos may need to play better offense in order for Ginebra to win Game Three. San Miguel did a good job of limiting Holt and Abarrientos in Game Two, with both players combining for 18 points on 6-of-21 shooting from the field, after they totalled 43 points on 16-of-29 from the field in Game One.
Rain or Shine vs. TNT
When: Sunday, October 13. 7:30 p.m.
Where: City of Dasmarinas Arena, Cavite
Going for a commanding lead
TNT will try to move one victory away from a return trip to the finals on Sunday night when it faces Rain or Shine. The Tropang Giga got a 2-0 lead in the series after a 108-91 win over the Elasto Painters last Friday.
Superb defense by TNT
A huge reason for the Tropang Giga’s success against the Elasto Painters is their defense which is picking up next level this conference. After its opponents committed 22 errors in the series opener, TNT forced Rain or Shine to 16 turnovers fueled by 10 steals, the fourth time in its six playoff games that it had double digits in the statistical category.
Rain or Shine can’t utilize their strengths
The Elasto Painters must solve the Tropang Giga’s defense in order to stay alive in the series. In Game Two, ROS could only put up six points off turnovers and 13 fastbreak points, statistical categories that were the strengths of the Elasto Painters during the playoffs.
TNT’s bigs doing good job against Fuller
Aaron Fuller only had 13 points and six rebounds in Game Two - his second lowest output in this playoffs after Game Two of the Magnolia series where he had to prematurely leave the contest after being poked in the eye. One of the unsung heroes in Game Two was Henry Galinato, who had eight points and seven rebounds in 11 minutes of action while also being an added body against Fuller with Kelly Williams out due to injury. Galinato and the rest of TNT’s bigs would need a similar effort in order to capture Game Three.
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