By Jonas Terrado
Team Standings W L
X-NLEX 7 1
X-TNT KaTropa 7 1
Ginebra 5 2
Meralco 5 2
San Miguel 5 3
Magnolia 4 4
Columbian 4 5
NorthPort 3 4
Alaska 2 6
Phoenix Pulse 2 6
Rain or Shine 2 7
Blackwater 2 7
X-clinched quarterfinals berth
Games Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. – NorthPort vs Alaska
6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Meralco
Chris Banchero is expected to suit up for Alaska against NorthPort in the resumption of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum despite reports that he will be traded to Magnolia in exchange for two players.
Alaska’s Chris Banchero drives past NorthPort’s Nico Elorde during their match in 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup. Banchero is expected to suit up for Alaska against NorthPorth despite reports that he will be traded to Magnolia in exchange for Rodney Brondial and Robbie Herndon. (PBA Images / File Photo)
Reports came out late Friday that the Aces agreed to ship Banchero to the Hotshots for Rodney Brondial and Robbie Herndon, a move the league will review once it receives the trade papers as early as Sunday or the resumption of office work Monday.
Both teams refrained from commenting on the supposed agreement which will see Banchero leave the Aces – the only team he has played since being taken in the first round of the 2014 Rookie Draft.
For now, Alaska would rather focus on getting a key win over NorthPort in order to keep a fighting chance in the quarterfinal race.
The Aces hold a 2-6 record while the Batang Pier are in eighth spot at 3-4 going into the 4:30 p.m. encounter.
Alaska, under new coach Jeffrey Cariaso, is coming off a 101-91 victory over Blackwater last Oct. 26.
NorthPort will play for the first time since losing rookie Robert Bolick to a season-ending knee injury sustained during a 127-119 win over San Miguel Beer last Oct. 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Banchero’s future could overshadow the key matchup between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco set at 6:45 p.m.
The winner formally secures a quarterfinals berth while tightening their grip in the race for the twice-to-beat advantage given to the top four teams after the eliminations.
Ginebra and Meralco hold similar 5-2 slates, half-game ahead of fifth-running San Miguel which carries a 5-3 card.
The Kings have won four straight after a 1-2 start while the Bolts posted back-to-back victories, including a 127-99 rout of the Beermen last Sunday.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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