Can Belo deliver again for ROS? Can Blackwater end skid?

Can Belo deliver again for ROS? Can Blackwater end skid?

TEAMS on a hot streak face struggling squads in Wednesday’s PBA Philippine Cup action at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Here’s a rundown of the matches and what to expect from the doubleheader.

Rain or Shine (4-4) vs. NorthPort (4-3)

When: Wednesday, April 17, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

ON FIRE

Rain or Shine is on a four-game winning streak, and it looks to extend that run in its match-up against NorthPort. The Elasto Painters defeated Terrafirma, 116-104, in Caloocan City last Saturday to stretch their winning run. Rain or Shine is currently in seventh place in the team standings.

NEED TO BREAK SLUMP

NorthPort has skidded to two straight losses entering Wednesday’s action. The Batang Pier lost to Barangay Ginebra, 95-88, last Sunday. The team has dropped to fifth place in the standings. Worse, NorthPort will enter the game with the prospect of missing JM Calma after sustaining a knee injury in the Ginebra game.

RUN-AND-GUN

We could be in for a fast-paced ballgame as both teams are in the top two in fastbreak points. Rain or Shine is at No. 1 with 23.4 followed by NorthPort with 20.1.

Those numbers, however, are down for the Batang Pier after they only had eight fastbreak points against Barangay Ginebra in their defeat.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mac Belo provided a boost for Rain or Shine last Saturday when he scored 11 points in 18 minutes. Can he sustain his form for Wednesday’s game?

William Navarro could be the player that would gain more minutes once Calma is out for the game. Against Ginebra, Navarro saw action for 32 minutes, the highest after three games, and tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

Magnolia (3-2) vs. Blackwater (3-4)

When: Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Ninoy Aquino Stadium

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

RISING HOTSHOTS

After a shaky start, Magnolia has returned to its anticipated form.. The Hotshots have won two in a row after their 107-93 win over Phoenix last Sunday. Magnolia is now at fourth place in the team standings.SKIDDING BOSSING

After an unbeaten start, Blackwater has lost four in a row, bowing to Barangay Ginebra, 105-86, last Friday.

LONGING FOR POINTS

The Bossing need offensive production badly as they are averaging 92.9 points, only 0.6 ahead of last place Converge. They have to do it against Magnola, a team that gives up the least points in the conference with 87.8.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Joseph Eriobu earned another starting role last Sunday and produced for Magnolia with 11 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action. He has started in three out of the five matches of the Hotshots. Will he get another shot at being a starter?

Justin Chua is only in his second game since his return, and already made a mark last Friday when he had 17 points and 10 assists in 22 minutes against Ginebra. He is on minutes restriction after it took one year for him to recover from an ACL injury when he was still with TNT. With his production last Friday, will his minutes increase?