ANOTHER marquee matchup is set on Saturday, with San Miguel and TNT duelling once more in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Here is a preview of the Antipolo double-header that also includes a meeting between struggling teams Terrafirma and Macau.
MACAU VS. TERRAFIRMA
When: Saturday, October 10. 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
Regain winning ways
Terrafirma and Macau face each other following losses in their first assignments in the PBA restart. The Dyip were defeated by TNT, 116-92, last Wednesday to remain in fifth-place with a 3-6 record. The Giant Pandas were beaten by NLEX, 138-78, in the largest losing margin in league history.
Juami needs bounce back
Juami Tiongson was held scoreless by the TNT defense in the Terrafirma loss, as his touches were limited in taking only five shots. Tiongson looks to bounce back in a big way against Macau, with the Dyip now two games back of the final playoff spot in Group B.
Depleted Pandas
Macau only played with nine players in its record defeat to NLEX, with import Oscar Lopez and Kobey Lam accounting for most of its points. The two played 48 minutes with Lopez scoring 36 points and Lam 22.
But with a depleted roster, it will be a tough task to win, even against a struggling Terrafirma squad.
TNT VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Saturday, October 10. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center-Antipolo
San Miguel resumes conference
San Miguel returns to action against TNT, aiming to forge another tie for first-place in Group A with NLEX. The Beermen are on a three-game winning streak, with the last two by an average margin of 41 points in games against Macau and Titan Ultra.
This game is not expected to be a blowout, however, especially since SMB's last loss was at the hands of the Tropang 5G in overtime, 89-83, last August 1.
Back-to-back wins sought
TNT goes for its second straight win after defeating Terrafirma, 116-92. A win will put them at third place in Group B over idle Converge.
Cjay could be back
Cjay Perez is expected to be back healthy for San Miguel after a groin injury forced him to miss the first three games of his PBA career. Perez averaged 16.2 points for the Beermen before his injury, and will definitely elevate his side in the final games of the eliminations.
Oftana on fire in debut
TNT got a huge boost with the return of Calvin Oftana after he fired for 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including seven threes, against Terrafirma. The Tropang 5G will need Oftana’s hot hands again against San Miguel.
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