Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is aiming to improve to 3-0, but it’ll be easier said than done against the strong Hong Kong Eastern squad who are 4-1 thus far.

Catch the game tomorrow, at 7:30 PM.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2-0)

Projected starting five:

  • Scottie Thompson
  • Stephen Holt
  • Justin Brownlee
  • Troy Rosario
  • Japeth Aguilar

The Barangay won their first two games. They beat the NLEX Road Warriors this past Wednesday, 109-100, and followed it up with a 94-72 routing of the hapless Phoenix Fuel masters on Friday.

After a two-man show in the opener, wherein Stephen Holt had a team-high 26 points and Justin Brownlee posted a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds, the Gin Kings then flexed a balanced attack in their second consecutive win. Five guys reached double figures – Scottie Thompson (17), Japeth Aguilar (16), new Gin King Troy Rosario (14), RJ Abarrientos (12), and Brownlee (10). It’s good that they’ve shown a variety of styles in quick succession. 

Also included in the list of encouraging signs is Ginebra gong for 52.7% and 50.7% in the two wins, as well as 32 and 30 assists. This is a team that’s well-coached, loaded in talent, and hungry to get back on top.

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Hong Kong Eastern (4-1)

Projected starting five:

  • Chris McLaughlin
  • Glen Yang
  • Hayden Blankley
  • Kobey Lam
  • Yuet Pok

HK Eastern improved to 4-1 after an 84-75 victory against Blackwater Bossing this past Tuesday. They had trouble stopping George King, who went off for 41 points, but proceeded to shutdown the rest of the opposition as no other guy scored in double-digits.

The team’s scoring machine, Cameron Clark, has left the team, but it appears that the group won’t miss a beat as his replacement, Chris McLaughlin, immediately showcased his abilities. McLaughlin paced the team vs. Blackwater by going off for 32 points on 14-of-19 shooting, while also hauling in 23 rebounds. We’ll see if he can follow it up vs. Ginebra’s bigger and formidable lineup, and it should be and interesting matchup.

Glen Yang, Kobey Lam, and Yin Cheung will be backing their main man, and they collectively cover a lot of facets. Yang, in particular, is a good lead guard, and he’s sure to take it into Thompson, Abarrientos, and the rest of the Barangay.

PICKS:

Spread: HK Eastern (+2)

Over/Under: Over (190.5)

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