PBA: NLEX, Meralco eye key victories in Antipolo

By Jonas Terrado

Games Sunday

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City)

4:30 p.m. — Meralco vs. NorthPort
6:45 p.m. — Magnolia vs NLEX

Quarterfinal-bound NLEX and Meralco seek important wins that may eventually give them the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The league-leading Road Warriors return from a lengthy break against the defending champion Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok while the Bolts battle the NorthPort Batang Pier in the curtainraiser set at 4:30 p.m.

NLEX is on top of the leaderboard with a 7-1 record while Meralco is tied with TNT KaTropa for second spot at 7-2.
It will be NLEX’s first match since Oct. 30 when it defeated Rain or Shine 111-91 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Kiefer Ravena, who is averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.6 steals, warns that NLEX will have to expect tough battles the rest of the way.

“Come our next game, it’s gonna be harder and harder for us because once you’re at the top, everybody’s going at you,” said Ravena.

Import Manny Harris tries to continue putting up consistent performances that allowed him to produce 38.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 3.7 steals three games after replacing Olu Ashaolu.

Out to put a stop on NLEX’s onslaught is Magnolia, which won its last two matches to tighten its grip on sixth spot with a 5-4 record.

The Hotshots are coming off a 97-81 victory over the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters that saw Chris Banchero making a solid debut since being acquired in a trade with the Alaska Aces.

Meanwhile, Meralco goes for a fifth straight win while putting NorthPort in a more-complicated situation as far as the race for the eighth and final playoff spot is concerned.

NorthPort holds a 3-5 record, trailing seventh-running Columbian (4-6) via percentage and leading Alaska (3-6) by a half-game.

The Bolts play for the second time in three days, a stretch that began when they beat the Columbian Dyip 92-74.

Source: Manila Bulletin