OPENING day winners NLEX and Terrafirma collide for the early lead in Group A on Sunday as the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup continues at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
The Road Warriors pulled away from a tight first quarter behind an explosive last three periods to clobber the Macau Giant Pandas, 114-75, gifting new coach Jimmy Alapag with a triumphant coaching debut.
On the other hand, Terrafirma leaned on a strong fourth quarter offensive to turn back import-less Titan Ultra, 113-100, to get off to a winning start for the season.
Both squads will square off at 5:30 p.m.
The second game set at 7:30 p.m. features Converge going up against Titan Ultra.
Alapag said he’s glad to get his first win as the team’s new head coach, succeeding Jong Uichico, who now moves to become the Road Warriors’ consultant.
But he knows the team has a long way to go as far as learning and adjusting to him and the system.
“It’s always great to get the first win, right? But, like I said, it's still a long way to go,” said Alapag, whose 39-point win proved to be the largest ever winning margin in franchise history.
“Our ability to continue to work, continue to build and, I think most importantly, just continue to grow, you know, them as players and even myself as a coach together with our staff,” he added.
Of course, NLEX will have to find ways to contain Terrafirma’s import Justin Strings who delivered an all-around effort of 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, while top rookie pick Geo Chiu was a tower of strength after finishing with 19 points and 23 monster boards for the Dyip.
Meanwhile, Converge is looking to redeem itself from a so-so Commissioner’s Cup stint, and hopeful that comebacking import Jalen Hudson could help the team accomplish its championship goal.
The 30-year-old Hudson displayed all-around numbers of 33.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 2023, helping TNT to a 5-1 start, before being replaced by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the Tropang 5G’s original import choice.
Everyone knows RHJ would go on to lead TNT to the Governors’ Cup title in 2023.
Still, Hudson sure can put tne ball in the hoop and do more, espeas he teams up with a young but hungry Converge core led by young big men Justin Araña and Justine Baltazar, Alec Stockton, and super rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño, who is fresh from a Gilas stint.
The FiberXers will be up against a Giant Risers side, that will hopefully have import Justin Millton ready to play.
The American reinforcement failed to get his FIBA clearance in time for the game against Terrafirma, forcing him to miss that match.
