The Magnolia Chicken Timplados are going for win no. 3, as they look to score some measure of revenge against the team that eliminated them from title contention in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup. That’s the TNT Tropang Giga, who eventually failed to complete their mission when they lost to the San Miguel Beermen in the last conference’s Finals. Will Magnolia rack up another victory? Or, will TNT win their first game of the conference?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  October 5 at 5:45 pm, Manila time.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados (2-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Paul Lee
  • SG: Mark Barroca
  • SF: Rome dela Rosa
  • PF: Nicholas Rakocevic
  • C: Rafi Reavis

Magnolia seems to have the perfect import to lead the way. Nicholas Rakocevic is fitting right well with his Chicken Timplados teammates. In his PBA debut, Rakocevic dropped 45 points with 25 rebounds in a 100-92 win over the Terrafirma Dyip. Then he followed that up with 21 points and 24 rebounds in a 10-105 come-from-behind victory over the Converge FiberXers. 

Rakocevic is also doing all that without slowing down his teammates’ production. In fact, in the win over the FiberXers, the Chicken Timplados had five locals scoring at least 10 points, led by Paul Lee and Mark Barroca, who scored 20 and 19 points, respectively. Rakocevic is also giving Magnolia the luxury of having Ian Sangalang come off the bench.

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TNT Tropang Giga (0-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Mike Williams (GTD)
  • SG: RR Pogoy
  • SF: Kelly Williams
  • PF: Calvin Oftana
  • C: Cameron Oliver

Last conference, TNT beat Magnolia to kick off its 2022 PBA Philippine Cup schedule, 78-72. The Tropang Giga definitely wanted to have that same start to this conference, this time with Cameron Oliver on the team. Oliver, who has a bit of NBA experience, having played a total of six games for the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks, comes over to TNT to provide the team with another perimeter threat who could also break down defenses with his ability to get into the lane and finish at the rim. 

With Mikey Williams always a threat to connect from behind the arc, Oliver should be able to create plenty of easy baskets, considering the level of defenders he’ll deal with in the PBA compared to other leagues he played in before. There’s also RR Pogoy, who could still be hot after the show he put up in the Philippine Cup Finals. Poy Erram’s suspension will hurt them, though, and they’ll need someone to step up.

PREDICTION:

Spread: Magnolia (-2) covers 
Over/Under: The total (192) hits the Over.