Converge will shoot for a winning start with Jamaal Franklin when it battles TNT in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup later at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Game time is set for 7:30 PM, with the spotlight on the FiberXers as they welcome back former NBA guard Jamaal Franklin to replace Jalen Hudson, who failed to replicate the productive form he displayed with TNT during the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
From being known as an elite scorer who once dropped 56 points, the 30-year-old winger averaged just 12.25 points, 6.75 rebounds, and 4.25 assists.
Luckily for Coach Delta Pineda, his locals delivered solidly, especially during their 3-0 start into the season-ending tilt, led by star big man Justin Arana.
But that hot start came to a screeching halt after a 128-122 loss to San Miguel last Wednesday. That prompted the team’s brain trust to make a change at the import spot. Hudson finished with just 15 points on 16 field-goal attempts.
Now, Converge hopes that it has found the reinforcement it’s been looking for in Franklin, who averaged 34.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.6 assists during his first rodeo with the franchise during the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
And together, they will try to mark their reunion on a high note. Still, the crew knows that it won’t be easy given how desperate their foes are.
After winning its conference opener, TNT would lose its next two outings, first falling to the then-winless Titan Ultra before bowing to Terrafirma.
Personnel problems due to injuries remain the reason behind their struggles. But the Tropa must snap out of their funk, since their next two matches after this would be against the Beermen (3-1) and the 4-0 NLEX.
According to Casino Plus sportsbook, the FiberXers enter the contest as a -3.5 favorite. The over/under is set at 214.5.
Bets can be made here: https://www.casinoplus.com.ph/home/inGame?name=basketball&title=SportBet.
(C) PBA images
Phoenix, on the other hand, will try to rebound and remain on top of Group B when it takes on a struggling Blackwater side at the 5:15 PM opener.
The Fuel Masters’ bid for a 4-0 start was foiled by Rain or Shine, but they remained atop Group B amid the increasingly-competitive race in the pool.
Below the team of Coach Charles Tiu, three squads currently share identical 2-2 records: Meralco, the Bossing, and Rain or Shine.
After a promising start to the tourney with a pair of wins, Blackwater has lost twice in a row, the most recent of which was a humiliating 115-85 defeat to Ginebra.
All eyes will be watching how the charges of Pat Aquino would be able to pick themselves up after absorbing that beatdown — against a team that’s also hungry to get back on track immediately.
The Bossing are a +5.0 underdog, according to Casino Plus sportsbook. The over/under is set at 217.0.
