One looks to rebound right away, while the other wants to extend the streak as Rain or Shine and Magnolia figure in a marquee matchup in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup this Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Game time is set for a 7:30 p.m tipoff, with the current leaders aiming to regain their winning ways after their perfect 7-0 start into the midseason joust came to an end after bowing to Phoenix by way of an 87-83 decision last Tuesday.
The law of averages caught up on the Elasto Painters just like what the Fuel Masters had hoped for, yet Coach Yeng Guiao and his men are hardly fazed whatsoever, even saying that it alleviates the pressure off themselves.
Now, their sights are set on building another streak, and that could start against the Hotshots of LA Tenorio in a highly anticipated bout where they’re actually the favorites, as far as the Casino Plus sportsbook is concerned.
Rain or Shine is favored to come out triumphant by a margin of -3.5 points, with the over/under in total points scored between the two teams set at 212.5
Bets can be made here: https://www.casinoplus.com.ph/home/inGame?name=basketball&title=SportBet.
(C) PBA Images
“It was good while it lasted,” Guiao said. “Mangyayari naman talaga ’yon, mapuputol at some point. Also, it releases some pressure off us. Ang gusto lang talaga namin is makarating kami ng nine wins, and secure the twice-to-beat.”
Still, the crew refuses to be too confident, as they will be taking on a Magnolia team that has won its last two games for another set of back-to-back wins.
Since bowing to Ginebra, the traditional contenders have gone on to beat San Miguel and Converge, in the process improving to 4-4 and climbing to no. 7 in the standings to throw themselves into the quarterfinal discussion.
Meeting at the 5:15 p.m. twin-bill opener, on the other hand, would be the current no. 2 seed in NLEX and the free-falling Terrafirma.
The Road Warriors are looking at the match as an opportunity to get back on track right away, keen on getting rid of the bitter taste their last outing had left in their mouths–a 98-94 collapse against the Beermen last Sunday.
There, the charges of Coach Jong Uichico appeared to be on their way to upending the long-time powerhouse, but the latter roared back before Bennie Boatwright took over in the endgame to eventually complete the rally.
It snapped NLEX’s fiery four-game winning streak, although the MVP Group franchise remained at second in the standings despite that.
Now, the team is looking to get that winning high once more, but will have to do so without veteran Kevin Alas, who’s out due to a dislocated finger. Arvin Gamboa replaced Alas in the lineup.
Still, the Road Warriors are the heavy favorites against a Dyip squad that’s in the midst of a five-game losing skid after a promising 3-0 start.
The Casino Plus sportsbook says that they’re seen to emerge victorious by -9.0 points. The over/under in total points scored, meanwhile, is set at 206.0. 
