After a two-day break between game days, the four teams in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals—Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, TNT Tropang 5G, and Meralco Bolts—will be back in action later today. As play resumes, we take a look at one storyline for each of these four teams, as it could very well determine if the series will be leveled at 2-2 or if a team will get on the proverbial hill.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals: Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine
Ginebra took a 2-1 lead in this series with a methodical 103-98 victory in Game 3. It will be looking to win a third straight game to take full control. Rain or Shine, meanwhile, will try to duplicate its Game 1 victory to level the series.
Ginebra Looks to Win the Battle of Pace
While Ginebra is doing better controlling the pace and keeping Rain or Shine from running and gunning, Tim Cone believes his team can do better—and he’s right. For stretches at a time, the Elasto Painters have been able to quicken the pace, and that’s when they’ve been at their best. In Game 4, Ginebra will look to dictate the pace, slow the game down to its liking, and challenge Rain or Shine to be deliberate in the half court.
Rain or Shine Aims for Better Shooting
Yeng Guiao isn’t shy about relying on the three ball, but his Elasto Painters haven’t been shooting particularly well from that range. In Game 1, they went 13-for-34 for 38.2% and won. In Games 2 and 3, they shot just 24.4% and 37.0% and lost. So, while Andrei Caracut and company have consistently hit at least 10 treys this series, they will look to be more accurate in Game 4 to match that volume.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals: TNT vs. Meralco
TNT lost Bol Bol in the first quarter of Game 2 and yet is ahead, 2-1, after that pulsating 77-75 win in Game 3. The Tropa will be going for a commanding 3-1 lead later today—and they’ll be doing it with the returning Chris McCullough to help them.
TNT’s Locals Try to Step Up Once More
Since the quarterfinals, the locals have been stepping up big time for the Tropa’s title defense, with RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana mostly leading the way. Jayson Castro has gotten more involved as well, while Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading both scored in double figures in Game 3. All eyes will be on McCullough—and rightfully so, because he’s a former PBA champion. But Oftana and the rest of TNT figure to have a lot to say in Game 4.
Meralco Hopes Patrick Gardner Can Be That Spark
Like TNT, Meralco will be parading a new import in Patrick Gardner. But unlike the Tropa, the Bolts are making the import switch not because original import Marvin Jones is hurt, like Bol Bol, but because he’s been woefully ineffective in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. Gardner brings international pedigree and is coming off a productive stint in the Japan B.League. He will have to be better than Jones if Meralco has any hopes of leveling the series.
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Semifinals Schedule
Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals will take place later today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ginebra takes on Rain or Shine in the first game, followed by Meralco facing off with TNT.
