Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Terrafirma Dyip clash as both aim to get back in the win column following a tough, close loss.
Catch the game this Sunday, April 7th, at 6:15 PM.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (3-2)
Projected starting five:
- Stanley Pringle
- Maverick Ahanmisi
- Jamie Malonzo
- Christian Standhardinger
- Japeth Aguilar
Ginebra will be coming off a 95-92 loss to the San Miguel Beermen. It was a failed bid for a comeback, as the team fell short despite a +13 point differential in the all-important fourth quarter. But perhaps, they wouldn’t need to climb such a hole if they don’t make themselves go that deep.
Nevertheless, the Gin Kings will continue fielding one of the most talented lineups in the league, which also happens to be arguably the most balanced attack in the conference as well. Five of their guys are averaging in double figures, and all are between 11.8 and 15.5 points per game – Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, Maverick Ahanmisi, Christian Standhardinger, and Stanley Pringle. All are modest in their scoring, but all can also explode at any given day.
Ultimately, though, head coach Tim Cone and his boys ought to be better on defense. It hasn’t been up to par as of late, hence the two early losses. We’ll see if it can come alive Sunday.
Terrafirma Dyip (3-3)
Projected starting five:
- Stephen Holt (day-to-day)
- Juami Tiongson
- JP Calvo
- Isaac Go
- Aldrech Ramos
Terrafirma had a promising 2-0 start in the conference, but the team seems to be back to its old ways as it has now lost three of its last four games.
Still, it’s not lost that Dyip is blessed to have a pair of very good scorers in its squad. First, there’s 31-year-old rookie Stephen Holt, who’s at 21.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game on 54% shooting (41% from deep). Then, behind him is Juami Tiongson, who’s sitting at 21.3 points, 5.3 boards, and 3.6 dimes, and also a reliable threat from beyond the arc.
Juan Gomez De Liano, meanwhile, is also complementing the two with 13.6 points on a smooth 56% clip. He can also attack well whenever he gets momentum in the lane.
Three can’t be enough, though, so they’d need solid support from the rest. It’ll be tough opposite Ginebra and its rabid crowd, but there’s a window of opportunity.
PICKS:
Spread: Ginebra (-10)
Over/Under: Over (188.5)
Gussie Bergstrom
Jacky Wiegand