THE
Philippine Basketball Association
plays its first-ever double-header in the newly-constructed Ynares Center in Montalban on Friday.
The twin-bill will have
NLEX
facing
Blackwater
in the first game, before
TNT
seeks a first win in the main outing against
Phoenix
.
Here’s a preview of the momentous double-header:
NLEX vs. Blackwater
When: May 2 (Friday), 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center Montalban
The Road Warriors are eyeing a third straight win after scoring huge triumphs over contenders TNT and
Rain or Shine
.
NLEX (2-1) has been getting a lot of contributions outside of main scorer
Robert Bolick
, as rookies
Xyrus Torres
,
JB Bahio
, and
Brandon Ramirez
have been doing their own share in scoring.
PHOTO: Mark Cristino
An interesting sidebar to the game is the possible shootout between Bolick and
Blackwater
rookie
Sedrick Barefield
.
The 28-year-old Fil-Am guard was 5-of-8 from three-point range for 20 points in the Bossing’s breakthrough win this conference, a 120-98 rout of NorthPort.
Like the Road Warriors, Blackwater got scoring support from its bench as five other players, led by the 19 of sophomore big man
Christian David
, also finished in double-figures.
The win arrested a two-game skid for the Bossing.
TNT vs. Phoenix
When: May 2 (Friday), 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center Montalban
All eyes are on the Tropang 5G who are off to a slow start to the conference after coming off championships in the
Governors’
and
Commissioner’s Cups
.
The Grand Slam-seeking franchise lost its first two outings, including a 100-94 setback to
Converge
last Sunday.
The loss put to waste the 33-point explosion of
Calvin Oftana
, who went 5-of-8 from downtown, as he tried to carry the scoring load for TNT along with
Roger Pogoy
and
Rey Nambatac
.
PHOTO: Mark Cristino
Pogoy finished with 15 and Nambatac 12 for the Tropang 5G.
But Phoenix is also coming off a tough loss against
Magnolia
in Zamboanga City, 118-99.
The Fuel Masters fell to a 1-3 record despite getting monster numbers from rookie
Kai Ballungay
, who finished with 25 points and 15 rebounds.