Rain or Shine tries to get a winning streak going against Terrafirma, while Magnolia tussles with NLEX on PBA Thursday.
2022-23 PBA Governors' Cup Thursday Games (February 16)
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (1-4) versus Terrafirma Dyip (2-3)
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Rain or Shine is currently second in the league in free throw attempts (32.8), but they are only hitting 69.9% of those. It's the same case with their long-range shooting; they are ranked second in three-point attempts (37.8) but holds the second-worst three-point percentage of only 29.1%.
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Terrafirma isn't a good defensive team yet, but there are signs for optimism. They are leading all 12 teams in steals (9.8), while forcing their opponents to commit 17.4 turnovers, the second-highest mark in the league.
Player Notes:
- Rain or Shine’s Rey Nambatac only had nine points on 2-of-5 shooting in their last game, but he’s still averaging 16.2 points and a decent 35% clip from the three-point line. Look for the lefty scoring guard to get going again in Thursday’s matchup with Terrafirma.
- Through five games this conference, Terrafirma has gotten efficient scoring contributions from import Jordan Williams (40.0 points on 62% True Shooting) and star guard Juami Tiongson (22.6 points on 62.2% True Shooting).
NLEX Road Warriors (4-1) versus Magnolia Hotshots (2-3)
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NLEX was on its way to an unblemished 5-0 record, but a late Barangay Ginebra barrage in regulation handed them their first loss of the conference. Wayne Selden proved to be an adept import replacement for Jonathon Simmons, as he finished with 43 points and did a bit of everything for the Road Warriors.
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The nightmare start to the conference is over for the Hotshots. Their defense is alive and kicking again, boosting them to two huge wins against Phoenix Super LPG and Ginebra.
Player Notes:
- NLEX’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser recently hosted a block party against Ginebra, compiling five blocks without committing a single foul. NLEX needs every bit of Ganuelas-Rosser’s interior defense against Magnolia, especially in limiting an excellent paint scorer like Hester.
- Magnolia’s Paul Lee is still lights out from deep. Coming off a 45% three-point shooting clip in the Commissioner’s Cup, Lee is shooting 42.6% from long-range this conference.
