THREE teams are out to break a slump, while one is out to sustain its winning run in Sunday’s PBA Governors’ Cup playdate.
Here’s a preview of the games.
NorthPort vs. Terrafirma
When: Sunday, September 8. 5 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Can Terrafirma finally capture a win?
Terrafirma enters the second round of the eliminations still winless after five games, having lost to TNT, 107-89, last Thursday. The Dyip get a perfect opportunity to finally win as NorthPort (2-3) has lost its final two games, including a 105-94 defeat to Magnolia last Wednesday.
Are Jois and Navarro coming back?
Venky Jois and William Navarro were not around in NorthPort’s loss to Magnolia after sustaining sprained ankles in two separate incidents. NorthPort definitely hopes that the two are already a hundred percent as their void was clearly difficult to fill during the Hotshots contest.
Arvin Tolentino on a slump
Two games after scoring 51 points against Converge last August 29, Tolentino slumped offensively, having made just 11 while shooting 5-of-11 from the field in the Magnolia defeat, compounding the Batang Pier’s woes after they lost Jois and Navarro due to an injury.
Player to watch
Cade Flores took on the offensive load in the absence of Jois and Navarro when he had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to Magnolia. Another similar performance for Flores will boost NorthPort’s odds of winning against Terrafirma.
Paolo Hernandez has been getting the green light to take shots for Terrafirma, and his production will once again be needed against NorthPort. In their loss to TNT, Hernandez finished with 13 points on 4-of-10 from the field.
TNT vs. Converge
When: Sunday, September 8. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
TNT out to avenge first-round loss
The Tropang Giga’s sole defeat this conference was against Converge when they fell victim to a four-point game-winner by Scotty Hopson last August 27, 96-95, and they will be out to avenge that defeat on Sunday.
Converge out to break slump
Converge is aiming to rekindle the winning feeling. Ironically, after a strong start including that game-winner against TNT, the FiberXers have lost two in a row, both in blowout fashion against NorthPort, 135-109, last August 29, and Meralco, 116-88, last Wednesday.
Both teams dealing with injuries
Converge and TNT will most likely play shorthanded in their collision. The FiberXers are without Justin Arana in their previous game due to a sprained ankle, while Patrick Maagdenberg sustained an injury in the Meralco game. For TNT, Calvin Oftana is also dealing with a bruised hip and his status is day-to-day.
Players to watch
Schonny Winston will try to break out of a slump. He struggled in the Meralco game, shooting 1-of-7 from the field and scoring just five points after posting double-digit numbers in the past games.
Rey Nambatac will look to bounce back from his first game against Converge where he only had six points, his lowest output this conference.
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