PBA Governor's Cup | 2 February, 4:30 PM (PST)

[Mary C]

PBA Governor's Cup

 

Phoenix Super LPG  vs NorthPort

In the PBA Governors Cup, Phoenix Super LPG and Northport have each had a difficult start. Tomorrow's game will be crucial since both of the contenders are at 0-3 right now and would love nothing more than to start the season-ending tournament on a winning note. Particularly Phoenix, which hopes to apply the lessons it discovered after losing to powerhouse San Miguel Beer last Sunday by a score of 93-114. 

Interim Coach Jamike Jarin pointed out that "Against San Miguel we were down by 33 but we got that down to 11, 10, but unfortunately they made some big shots.”  But as a coach, you should be pleased with what your players are accomplishing, so just keep working hard, Jarin advised. The SMB game was only the most recent in a line of disappointments for the Fuel Masters, who nearly lost to another pre-tournament favorite in TNT, 119-123, in their conference opener last January 22 before losing to Blackwater just two days later, 105-108. 

Jarin said, "Unfortunately, the schedule was tough for us. We played three games in five days. We fought well in the first two games, only losing by four and three; could have gone either way. Against San Miguel, we ran into a juggernaut. We started well then, all of a sudden, we couldn't make a basket, especially from the outside. Iyun lang, it didn't result in victories, but Jarin added, "We're all staying positive because we like what we see, the battling heart, the culture that we want to inculcate in our business. 

"But we still have the mindset that we'll continue to compete. We should stay with a positive (outlook), na we're still competing but we were just unfortunate. So... morale is very high, that we could compete with the best." NorthPort also had a discouraging opening week, losing to Meralco by five and NLEX by nine before being thrashed by Converge by 30 on the first day. Both Javee Mocon and NorthPort's Robert Bolick could have made a significant difference for their sides, but the Phoenix forward would still be sidelined because of a recent knee procedure, and the latter's contract disputes are still ongoing. 

 

Rain or Shine vs Converge

When Converge and the still winless Rain or Shine square off on Thursday, February 2, the goal is for Converge to remain unbeaten and maintain its early lead in the standings. The Elasto Painters team is equally anxious to break out of its skid and stomp into the victory column as the FiberXers are to extend their conference winning streak to four games in their 6:45 p.m. matchup. encounter. The 4:30 p.m. first game features a perfect matchup between Phoenix and NorthPort, two winless clubs that are each seeking a breakthrough.  

Head coach Aldin Ayo is still not satisfied with what he has been seeing from his players despite them passing their most difficult test to date by defeating Magnolia, 111-109, last Sunday, Jan. 29. He hopes to have import Jamaal Franklin to become more accustomed to their system. "Possession by possession is how we play both on offense and defense, but Jamaal is still getting used to our system. We are very predictable right now, I can say that," said Ayo.