THE Philippine Basketball Association plays its first-ever double-header in the newly-constructed Ynares Center in Montalban on Friday.
The twin-bill will have NLEX facing Blackwater in the first game, before TNT seeks a first win in the main outing against Phoenix.
Here’s a preview of the momentous double-header:
NLEX vs. Blackwater
When: May 2 (Friday), 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center Montalban
The Road Warriors are eyeing a third straight win after scoring huge triumphs over contenders TNT and Rain or Shine.
NLEX (2-1) has been getting a lot of contributions outside of main scorer Robert Bolick, as rookies Xyrus Torres, JB Bahio, and Brandon Ramirez have been doing their own share in scoring.
An interesting sidebar to the game is the possible shootout between Bolick and Blackwater rookie Sedrick Barefield.
The 28-year-old Fil-Am guard was 5-of-8 from three-point range for 20 points in the Bossing’s breakthrough win this conference, a 120-98 rout of NorthPort.
Like the Road Warriors, Blackwater got scoring support from its bench as five other players, led by the 19 of sophomore big man Christian David, also finished in double-figures.
The win arrested a two-game skid for the Bossing.
TNT vs. Phoenix
When: May 2 (Friday), 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center Montalban
All eyes are on the Tropang 5G who are off to a slow start to the conference after coming off championships in the Governors' and Commissioner’s Cups.
The Grand Slam-seeking franchise lost its first two outings, including a 100-94 setback to Converge last Sunday.
The loss put to waste the 33-point explosion of Calvin Oftana, who went 5-of-8 from downtown, as he tried to carry the scoring load for TNT along with Roger Pogoy and Rey Nambatac.
Pogoy finished with 15 and Nambatac 12 for the Tropang 5G.
But Phoenix is also coming off a tough loss against Magnolia in Zamboanga City, 118-99.
The Fuel Masters fell to a 1-3 record despite getting monster numbers from rookie Kai Ballungay, who finished with 25 points and 15 rebounds.
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