By REYNALD MAGALLON
It’s going to be a homecoming for some of the PBA stars as Converge and Barangay Ginebra figure in a marquee out-of-town duel in the Season 49 Philippine Cup in San Fernando, Pampanga, Saturday, May 10.
The FiberXers (4-2), who have Pampanga governor Delta Pineda as part of their coaching staff, should enjoy some sort of home court advantage although fans are also surely rooting for the crowd darlings, the Kings (2-2), in the contest that tips off at 730 p.m. at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
Converge, for one, ais hoping to keep it rolling after winning their last three games including morale-boosting victories against last conference Final Four teams TNT and Rain or Shine.
Anchoring the winning run for the FiberXers are their twin towers in Justin Arana and hometown bet Justine Baltazar, whose matchup with another cabalen, Japeth Aguilar, is surely highly anticipated by the expected good-sized crowd.
The duo has been a double-double machine for Converge with Arana posting 18 points and 17 rebounds and Baltazar finishing with 13 while hauling down 22 rebounds in Converge’s 107-97 victory over Rain or Shine last time out.
But Converge isn’t just about their big men with guys like Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston and Bryan Santos all proven capable of carrying the offensive load at any given night.
And that’s what Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is wary of especially if the Kings hope to get back on track after a close 86-89 setback against the NLEX Road Warriors.
Stephen Holt and Scottie Thompson formed a one-two punch with 21 and 20 points respectively but they need more contribution from the rest of the team especially if the Kings wish to compete against the depth of the FiberXers.
Aguilar should also get help from the likes of Troy Rosario and Jamie Malonzo to man the paint while guys like RJ Abarrientos and Maverick Ahanmisi should also step up.
