ANTIPOLO — San Miguel will try to gain a share of the Group A lead again when it takes on TNT in another clash between long-time corporate rivals in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup later tonight at the Ynares Center here.
Tip-off is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., with the Beermen looking to extend their winning streak to four, which, if they do, would enable the traditional powerhouse to once again join Coach Jimmy Alapag’s NLEX on top of the pool standings.
The Road Warriors took the provisional lead following a 138-78 demolition of the hopeless Macau in the conference’s resumption last Wednesday to go 8-2, allowing themselves to clinch a quarterfinal berth as well.
SMB, favorites to win by -4.0 according to Casino Plus sportsbook, would definitely want to be next, and they could do so against the Tropang 5G, although it’s not just what motivates the squad in the heavyweight bout.
Coach Leo Austria’s men want payback after losing narrowly in overtime, 93-90, in their previous encounter last August 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena, in which Kim Aurin emerged as the unlikely hero in extra time and finished with 22.
But it sure is going to be challenging for San Miguel as they will be facing new import Nick Hornsby after going up against Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson last time.
The 31-year-old Hornsby made a good account of himself in his PBA debut last Wednesday, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and five steals in their 116-92 conquest of Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
That win allowed the defending champions to go above .500 (5-4) to gain a share of the third spot in the pool with Converge as they sport similar cards.
Definitely, they’d want to keep their winning ways and build another streak to push for the playoffs now that the group phase has entered its home stretch.
The over/under for points for the rivalry clash is set at 209.5.
Meanwhile, the Dyip and the Giant Pandas will open the double-header later at 5:15 p.m., with the former (3-6) looking to stay in the quarterfinal race.
According to Casino Plus sportsbook, Terrafirma is favored at 1.20 moneyline odds, while Macau is listed at 4.44.
