By JONAS TERRADO
Games Today
(AUF Gym powered by Smart 5G)
4 p.m. – Magnolia vs Meralco
6:45 p.m. – Blackwater vs Alaska
Blackwater hopes to continue an impressive start under new coach Nash Racela when it goes up against Alaska tonight in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
The Elite, who have a knack for unleashing an offensive outburst in the third quarter, shoot for their third win in four games in the 6:45 p.m. match opposite an Aces side which is coming off a hard-fought win over the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
Magnolia tries to bounce back in the 4 p.m. tussle with Meralco, which is likewise out to redeem itself from a disappointing loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel two nights earlier.
Racela has been praised for the way he has enabled the Elite to start off the bubble on the right track, especially with the third quarter onslaughts that saw his team average 35.0 points.
Last Saturday, Blackwater made 35 points in the third to pull away from NLEX and produce a 98-88 victory.
But Racela can’t be too content with his team’s performance, especially against an Alaska team that beat Magnolia 87-81 also last Saturday.
Don Trollano has been one of Blackwater’s best performers so far, averaging team highs in points (19.3) and rebounds (10.3) even as Roi Sumang’s confidence is on a high as evident with the 14.7-point, 4.7-rebound, 4.0-assist and 1.7-steal numbers.
Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso is banking on Jeron Teng and Jvee Casio to build on their key performances against Magnolia.
The Aces climbed into the win column after dropping their first two matches against the TNT Tropang Giga (100-95) and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (93-81).
BUBBLE STILL COVID-FREE
Meantime, the PBA bubble remained free of Covid-19 as all 12 teams tested negative for the deadly disease following the second round of swab tests conducted last week.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said around 270 players and team staff members underwent RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing administered by the Clark Development Corporation for the second time.
“I already talked to president Vince (Dizon of Bases Conversion and Development Authority) and I informed him that all teams are already negative from the testing. He just reminded us to keep safe inside the bubble,” said Marcial.
Marcial added that around 15 players who entered the bubble late will be retested this week along with the PBA staff, referees and members of the media.
The first round of swab tests was done when teams arrived at the Quest Hotel inside the Mimosa Plus Leisure Estate last September 28 and 29. (With a report from Jeremiah Sevilla)
