THREE teams will look to claim their first win while one squad is going for a share of the lead in their group in Friday’s PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup playdate at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Here’s what you need to know.
Terrafirma vs. NorthPort
When: Friday, August 23. 5 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Out to bounce back
Terrafirma and NorthPort are both looking for redemption in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader at the Big Dome. The Dyip lost to Converge in lopsided fashion, 127-95, last Wednesday, while the Batang Pier were beaten by TNT, 101-95, last Tuesday.
Surprising import change
NorthPort is surprisingly making an import change for Friday’s match as the Venky Jois returns for the Batang Pier. Though Jois had a solid stint with the Batang Pier during the 2023 Governors’ Cup, not a few eyebrows were raised when NorthPort decided to replace Taylor Johns, who had 36 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists against TNT. Time will tell whether this gambit will pay off, and NorthPort sure needs it to work to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole in Group A.
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Need support from other players
Both squads will need a collective effort in order to pull off the win. The Batang Pier only had Johns and Arvin Tolentino (23 points) in double figures in scoring. The Dyip did have five players in double digits in Stanley Pringle, Antonio Hester, Kevin Ferrer, Christian Standhardinger, and Juami Tiongson, but Tiongson actually struggled to hit shots even with his 10 points, making only three of 14 attempts from the field.
Magnolia vs. Converge
When: Friday, August 23. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live
Converge going for a share of lead
Yes, you read it right. The FiberXers, who for a majority of last season were at the bottom of the standings to the point where fans accused the team of tanking to get the No. 1 pick in the draft, are now going for a share of the lead with TNT in Group A of the Governors’ Cup.
The FiberXers opened with a 127-95 rout over Terrafirma to open the conference, the 32-point victory even eclipsing the total winning margin they had during Season 48. The FiberXers will definitely turn heads if they essayed another win against Magnolia.
Will Scotty still be too hotty?
The FiberXers’ victory was one for the books for their import Scotty Hopson, who exploded for 46 points to carry them on offense. For this game, Hopson will be going up against a Magnolia team that takes prides on its defense, and it will be interesting if the Converge import can sustain his play against the Hotshots.
Winning the rebound battle
Magnolia went toe-to-toe with Meralco in the end, only losing the match on a four-point shot by Glenn Robinson III in the final seconds. But the Hotshots shot themselves in the foot by losing the rebound battle convincingly, 61-44.
The Hotshots need to contain the FiberXers on the glass after Hopson, Justin Arana, and even guard Schonny Winstson lorded the board against Terrafirma, combining for 24 out of the team’s 51.
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