The quarters pairing between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Phoenix Fuel Masters will be a battle between grizzled playoff veterans and inexperienced upstarts. It figures to be a tall order for Charles Tiu and his crew, but statistically, there are things they need to focus on to have a fighting shot at knocking off the Gin Kings.
These stats should be top of mind:
13.1 to 11.1
Ginebra and Phoenix are two of the PBA’s most prolific three-point shooting teams this PBA Commissioner’s Cup, with Ginebra leading the league with 13.1 made triples a game. Phoenix isn’t too far behind, with its 11.1 made treys good enough for third.
Don’t be surprised, then, if these two teams make it rain from deep on Friday—just as they did in their elimination-round game. In Ginebra’s 109-96 win, the league’s most popular ball club fired 13 triples, while Phoenix drilled 15 for a combined 28 makes.
57.3 to 53.5
These two teams diverge in shooting percentages, with the barangay boasting the league’s second-best true shooting mark at 57.3%, propped up by its 37.9% clip from the arc (second in the league as well). Phoenix, in contrast, is middle of the pack in true shooting percentage at 53.5, which is good enough for seventh overall. The Fuel Masters are also seventh in the PBA in three-point shooting accuracy at 32.4%.
In a make-or-miss sport, these percentages matter, as the team that gets higher marks will likely have the advantage. Ginebra has been shooting well this conference; the Fuel Masters will have to match that.
119.6 to 108.5
Another potential deciding factor statistically is offensive efficiency. The crowd darlings, with their 119.6 offensive rating, are tops in the entire PBA—making them a ruthlessly efficient offensive juggernaut. Phoenix, on the other hand, is just seventh in offensive rating at 108.5.
What this means is that the Fuel Masters will have to match Ginebra’s offensive efficiency and maybe even disrupt it. Otherwise, this pairing might be over on Friday.
31.6 to 26.4
A key area Ginebra has struggled with this conference is rebounding. In fact, it is 11th overall with just 47.0 rebounds a game. Surprisingly, though, the barangay is quite prolific at grabbing available offensive rebounds, with an OREB% of 31.6—No. 1 in the league and an elite mark in a vacuum. Phoenix, in contrast, is eighth in this metric with 26.4.
What this means is that Ginebra is good at getting offensive rebounds where available. Phoenix will need to be mindful of this, as an efficient shooting team like the barangay will make a killing if they get second and third opportunities.
The Quarterfinals: (2) Ginebra vs. (7) Phoenix
Phoenix versus Ginebra will be the main event of Friday’s quarterfinals double-header at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m.
