BARANGAY Ginebra and Meralco try to redeem themselves against separate opponents as action in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup continues on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Gin Kings clash with skidding Converge FiberXers at 7:30 p.m., following the 5:15 p.m. match between the Bolts and the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Ginebra succumbed to NLEX, 118-113 despite Justin Brownlee’s 46-point effort.
That game saw Robert Bolick explode for 32 points, including eight big points during the crucial juncture of the last period to turn the table against Ginebra.
At 1-1, the Gin Kings will try to move forward and train their eyes on the FiberXers, the team they beat twice during the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Converge has been on a tailspin as of late, losing three straight after opening the conference with a victory against Macau.
Rookie guard Juan Gomez De Liaño is still out with a right knee bone contusion he sustained in the FiberXers’ 111-100 overtime loss to the Terrafirma Dyip.
Converge still has a slew of young and talented core led by guards Alec Stockton, returning two-time PBA champion Mikey Williams and big men Justin Arana as well as Justine Baltazar.
Kylor Kelly is also a solid defensive anchor as evidenced by his 3.8 blocks per contest, while pulling down 17.5 rebounds.
He also norms 13.5 points per game.
Meantime, Meralco tries to redeem itself following its 109-102 loss to an all-Filipino Rain or Shine last Friday.
The Bolts enter their match with a 1-1 card, and will have to be careful against the Giant Risers (1-2), who stunned powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, 119-112 last week for their first win this conference.
“We did not do well. When you gave 29 and 31 points in the first and fourth quarter, I’m a defensive coach and I think our identity is defense. So play with fire and you get burned,” said Trillo after the game against ROS.
“You just can’t come in there and just play basketball and have fun. You have to know your opponent and take away their strength.”