The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continues later today with a double-header that features Wednesday’s winners—the Terrafirma Dyip and Converge FiberXers—opening the action, followed by the Macau Black Knights taking on the debuting Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Both games will be played at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
1. Mikey Williams Redux
Williams, a one-time PBA Finals MVP and one of the finest scorers the PBA has ever seen, went scoreless in Converge’s win over Macau on Wednesday. In fairness to him, he played only in the fourth quarter and is still trying to work himself back into the thick of things. With two more practices under his belt, it’s possible Williams will be a lot better in the FiberXers’ second game of the conference—especially against a team not exactly known for its defense.
2. Geo Chiu, Game 2
Chiu’s 6-point, 14-rebound debut against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers to start the Commissioner’s Cup wasn’t exactly eye-popping, but he was solid at times and did what Ronald Tubid wanted: play big and get rebounds. The rookie will be tested even more later today as he’s about to take on Converge’s talented twin towers of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana. That’s a gargantuan task, to say the least, but it is also a great opportunity for Chiu to show what he’s made of and why he deserved to be the No. 1 pick—especially with the No. 2 pick, Juan Gomez de Liaño, doing so well for the FiberXers.
3. Rain or Shine Restart
Rain or Shine’s four-conference semifinals streak ended unceremoniously in the last PBA Philippine Cup. Now, the Elasto Painters will look to start a new one beginning in the Commissioner’s Cup, with import Jaylen Johnson expected to lead the way. But standing in their way will be the Macau Black Knights, who nearly beat Converge but ran out of gas in the fourth.
4. Macau’s Outside Shooting
Against Converge, more than half of Macau’s total attempts came from distance—28 from the three-point line and 19 from the four-point line. The Black Knights ended up making seven treys and four fours, and for a while, it looked like their outside-heavy shot selection would be enough—that is, until the well ran dry and the shots were no longer falling. If that’s any indication, Macau is an outside-shooting team, and it’s possible it will live and die by it—something that’s also sometimes true with Rain or Shine.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Action
Today’s Commissioner’s Cup double-header will be played at the Ynares Center in Montalban. The first game will see Terrafirma and Converge duking it out, with tip-off at 5:00 p.m. Rain or Shine will then take on Macau at 7:30 p.m.
