With Ginebra and Magnolia currently treading different paths, this conference’s Manila Clasico matchup might deliver a lot of fireworks.
PBA Sunday Games (October 23, 2022)
Venue: Mall of Asia Arena
First Game: NLEX Road Warriors versus San Miguel Beermen (4:30 PM)
Second Game: Barangay Ginebra versus Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (6:45 PM)
SMB looking to snap losing skid
| NLEX Road Warriors | San Miguel Beermen | |
| Offensive Rating | 107.2 (5th) | 104.4 (6th) |
| Defensive Rating | 109.3 (11th) | 110.8 (12th) |
| Pace | 78.5 (8th) | 81.4 (1st) |
| Standing | 3-2 (T-3rd) | 1-3 (11th) |
Previous Games: NLEX won against TNT Tropang Giga, 110-101; San Miguel lost to the Converge FiberXers, 106-102
Bringing in a new import (Devon Scott) didn’t do wonders for the skidding Beermen, as they have now lost three of their first four games in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. SMB has to find a way to tighten up their defense; they currently rank second-worst in defensive rating, with four of their opponents all scoring at least 105 points.
On offense, they have to figure out life without the injured June Mar Fajardo. Perimeter play will be a focus for the Beermen, and they need to free up their shooters and have them take more shots from beyond the arc. We previously mentioned that Marcio Lassiter, with his three-point marksmanship, should at least take nine attempts from deep every game. Let’s see how Lassiter and the Beermen will adjust on offense, as they go up against an NLEX team that’s coming off a rousing win against TNT.
Can ginebra break magnolia’s streak?
| Barangay Ginebra | Magnolia Hotshots | |
| Offensive Rating | 104.3 (7th) | 111.5 (2nd) |
| Defensive Rating | 105.5 (7th) | 101.7 (3rd) |
| Pace | 74.7 (13th) | 78.2 (9th) |
| Standing | 2-2 (T-8th) | 5-0 (1st) |
Previous Games: Ginebra lost to Phoenix Super LPG, 101-93; Magnolia won against NorthPort Batang Pier, 109-91
After soundly defeating the Bay Area Dragons, Ginebra crashed back to earth in the loss to Phoenix. Ginebra’s transition defense left a lot of questions and their offense stagnated in that pivotal final period when the Fuel Masters made their run. Despite their lukewarm start to the conference, the fine play of Stanley Pringle is definitely a welcome sight for the Gin Kings. Pringle tallied a game-high 25 points in the Phoenix match, and he’s now norming conference shooting percentages of 51% from the field, including 46% from the three-point line (6.5 attempts). By these indicators, the Pringle of old is back.
Ginebra will have a tough task ahead of them though, as they’ll face an undefeated Magnolia squad tomorrow. Everything’s clicking for the Hotshots; they rank second and third in offensive and defensive rating, and they have an import who does about everything you ask of him. Magnolia and Ginebra are both in full strength, paving the way for an exciting Manila Clasico matchup on PBA Sunday.
