Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena)
3 p.m. – Phoenix vs Tropang TNT
5:15 p.m. – Alaska vs Rain or Shine
Games Tomorrow
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. – Globalportvs Meralco
5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Star
Title favorites Rain or Shine and Alaska, two teams that changed original imports due to injury, clash in one of today’s doubleheader in the ongoing Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round action at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
Their decision to change imports had contrasting results as the E-Painters lost to Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday while the Aces escaped with a win over another tournament favorite Tropang TNT Texters.
The game between Alaska and Rain or Shine is scheduled at 5:15 p.m., while clashing at 3 p.m. are newcomer Phoenix and defending champion Tropang TNT in this Petron Saturday Special.
Chism hurt his left hamstring in a 95-98 setback to Meralco, and the team tabbed Wright who arrived on the day they were set to face Ginebra.
Bothered by jetlag, Wright played 28 minutes and finished with just 16 points and eight rebounds in a 92-103 defeat to the Tim Cone-mentored squad.
“We expect him to play better compared to last time. He was able to know his teammates, our system. He’ll get better, we’ll get better with Antoine,” added Guiao
Chism, the Best Import of this same conference after helping ROS make the championship round, is still in town but Guiao said it’s unlikely for the import to rejoin the team since the recovery period is more than a month.
That is not the case, however for Alaska’s onetime Best Import winner Rob Dozier, who, according to coach Alex Compton, is still part of the team as Edwards is here on a temporary basis.
Edwards, however, made an impressive performance the Aces’ 108-100 win opposite the Tropang TNT last Wednesday as he collected 36 points and 20 rebounds in nearly 41 minutes of action.