San Miguel, Magnolia meet again in battle of PBA's hottest teams

San Miguel, Magnolia meet again in battle of PBA’s hottest teams

THE top two teams in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup battle in the main feature of Friday’s doubleheader as the league returns to the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Team standings

San Miguel 7-0

Magnolia 5-2

Barangay Ginebra 6-3

NLEX 5-3

TNT 5-4

Rain or Shine 5-5

Terrafirma 5-5

NorthPort 4-6

Blackwater 3-5

Meralco 3-5

Phoenix 3-6

Converge 1-8

Here’s a rundown of Friday’s doubleheader:

Phoenix vs. Meralco

When: Friday, April 26, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

CHASE FOR PLAYOFF SPOTS

Phoenix and Meralco are in a crucial stretch in their quarterfinal bid. The Bolts are in a share of ninth place with Blackwater at 3-5 win-loss while Phoenix is at 11th with a 3-6 slate. Meralco lost to Converge, 104-99, last Sunday, while Phoenix suffered a 108-101 setback against TNT after squandering a 23-point lead.

ALMAZAN RETURNS

Meralco gets a much-needed lift down low with the return of Raymond Almazan from a one-game suspension in relation to the Edsa Busway incident he was involved with. The Bolts were badly outrebounded by the FiberXers, 48-37, in their previous game.

SHOOTERS OUT TO BOUNCE BACK

RJ Jazul struggled with just one three-pointer against TNT after combining for 11 in the previous two games.

Allein Maliksi went scoreless, shot 0-of-4 from the field, and played only 13 minutes for Meralco in its match-up against Converge.

Magnolia vs. San Miguel

When: Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Smart-Araneta Coliseum

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

THE TWO HOTTEST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE

San Miguel and Magnolia have the distinction of owning the longest winning streaks in the league. The Beermen remains unbeaten in seven games, and were coming off a 120-100 win over NorthPort last Sunday. The Hotshots defeated Rain or Shine, 108-102, in Tiaong, Quezon last Saturday.

jorge gallent

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

MAGNOLIA WANTS REVENGE

The Hotshots are going for a measure of revenge after it was denied the Commissioner’s Cup title by the Beermen last February. If they continue with their pace, Magnolia and San Miguel could be in for another face-off in the Philippine Cup Finals.

DENYING SAN MIGUEL’S OFFENSE

Magnolia’s defense will be tested against San Miguel’s high-powered offense that is second in the league with 108, just 0.1 behind Rain or Shine. The Hotshots, who are giving up a league-least 88.3 points a game, would definitely want the game to be a low-scoring one.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rome Dela Rosa looks to play a key role for Magnolia, especially on defense, as he makes his comeback after recovering from an ankle injury, but Jio Jalalon will be out due to a knee injury.

Terrence Romeo would want to bounce back after scoring just four points and going 2-of-14 from the field against NorthPort