The PBA Commissioner’s Cup goes from the Ynares Center in Montalban to the one in Antipolo later today for another double-header. This time around, it will be the Terrafirma Dyip taking on the Blackwater Bossing, followed by the Converge FiberXers locking horns with the Meralco Bolts.
1. What Does Mubashar Ali Have for an Encore?
Terrafirma import Mubashar Ali put up an incredulous 50-point, 25-rebound masterpiece against the Converge FiberXers on Saturday, and it proved enough to stake the Dyip to an early 2-0 record. So far, Ali’s been the most impressive reinforcement this Commissioner’s Cup, and it’ll be interesting to see how he follows up such a terrific outing.
2. Can Blackwater Figure Things Out?
The Bossing this Season 50 have been on-brand: mediocre and seemingly a lost cause. But the team showed some signs of life against the NLEX Road Warriors in their debut, building as much as a 16-point lead, led by Sedrick Barefield. Even so, the Bossing folded in the second half, showing yet again that mediocrity persists. If they don’t figure things out soon, their PBA Commissioner’s Cup might end up as another disaster.
3. Will Mikey Williams Break Out?
Williams hasn’t looked anywhere close to the two-time PBA Finals MVP that he was in his prime. To be fair, it’s been three years since his last full season. But if Converge is to make franchise history in this Commissioner’s Cup, Williams will need to at least scratch the surface of that fearsome form from years back. He gets another chance tonight, this time against Meralco.
4. Is Chris Newsome Fully Back?
It’s been a month since Newsome injured his knee in the Philippine Cup semis, so it’s likely he’s recovered well enough already. Fans will get to see later if that’s the case, although if Gilas Pilipinas’ latest window is any indication, it’s possible NewNew isn’t there yet. He is, after all, already 35, so recovery might take longer than usual. If he isn’t fully back, that’s one less capable defender on the perimeter for Meralco.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Action
Today’s Commissioner’s Cup double-header will be played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The first game will see Terrafirma take on Blackwater, with tip-off at 5:00 p.m.
The Dyip will be looking to win their third straight, while the Bossing are hoping to get in the win column. Converge will then face off against debuting Meralco at 7:30 p.m. The FiberXers are aiming to bounce back from their loss on Saturday to Terrafirma.
