MANILA, Philippines — Phoenix and Meralco clash in a critical PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup match that has serious playoff implications on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m. with both squads looking to score a crucial win to get a better advantage at securing a playoff spot.
So far, Magnolia is the only team at Group B that has sealed a playoff spot with its 6-3 record.
Phoenix enters the match carrying a similar 4-3 record with idle Rain or Shine, while Meralco is at 4-5.
Barangay Ginebra and Blackwater are lurking behind with the two struggling squads owning anemic 3-5 slates.
Phoenix hopes new import Marcellus Earlington could fit in well as original import BJ Johnson left the team during the long conference break to sign up and play in Russia.
Earlington though has been with the team for over two weeks already, giving the former St. John’s and San Diego standout time to learn the system under coach Charles Tiu.
“He is an inside player and gives us more balance against having another wing player,” Tiu said, noting the different look the 26-year-old Earlington can bring to the Fuel Masters.
Earlington averaged solid numbers of 22.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists for Ironi Nahariya in his most recent stint in the Israeli National league.
The American reinforcement played for the Fuel Masters, who dropped a narrow 83-80 decision to Mongolian squad Omni Erdenet Miners in their friendly game over a week ago.
Phoenix won by the skin of its teeth when it scored a pulsating 98-97 victory against a then all-Filipino Meralco crew last July 15. as import Jordon Varnado failed to play due to a hamstring injury.
Varnado has since been back in in harness, and with the foreign reinforcement at work, the Bolts revived their playoff hopes after hammering the Gin Kings, 97-88, followed by the Bossing, 120-115 in their last two games. Meanwhile, playoff-bound Converge (6-4) tries to keep its winning ways going when it battles woeful Macau (2-9) at 5:15 p.m.
The Giant Pandas hope to end their second conference with a bang, and at least, redeem themselves after losing by 60 points and 55, respectively against NLEX and TNT in a one-week span. TMT
