NEW MAGNOLIA IMPORT SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD MEETS MERALCO AGAIN IN PANABO

THE PBA Governors’ Cup holds its last out-of-town game of the conference, but it will certainly be not the least, as Meralco and Magnolia collide on Saturday in Panabo City, Davao Del Norte.

The preview of the game below:

Meralco vs. Magnolia

When: Saturday, September 7. 6 p.m.

Where: Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center

Watch: RPTV, PBA Rush, Pilipinas Live

Where the teams stand

Meralco is starting its second round with a 4-1 win-loss record, sharing first place with TNT in the lead in Group A. Magnolia is in solo third with a 3-2 slate entering the out-of-town game.

The Bolts improved their record after beating Converge, 116-88, while the Hotshots defeated NorthPort, 105-94, last Wednesday.

Rematch of season opener

The two will face off again after being pitted against each other in the season opener last August 18. Meralco won the contest, 99-94, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum with Allen Durham finishing with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

PHOTO: PBA Images

As a result of playing in the first game of the new season where the 4-point shot was introduced, Chris Banchero made history by becoming the first player to bury the attempt.

Shabazz Muhammad debuts

One player who will no longer play in the rematch is Glenn Robinson III, who has been replaced by Shabazz Muhammad for the Panabo game. Magnolia made a change despite his respectable showing that including a 29-point, 11-rebound effort back in opening night.

Interestingly, Muhammad has a lot of history with Meralco after he erupted for 57 points against them during his stint with San Miguel last March 5, 2022. But the Bolts got payback when they ousted the Beermen in the quarterfinals.

No strangers to out-of-town games

Earlier this year, Meralco and Magnolia dueled in an out-of-town game held in Iloilo City in the Commissioner’s Cup with the Bolts defeating the Hotshots, 85-80, behind a 33-point effort from import Shaun Miller.

Bench points

With Meralco hobbled by injuries, bench production will be key for the Bolts. Cliff Hodge added to the list of players who are hurt, but the Bolts' second stringers stepped up with Alvin Pasaol among those who helped in the win by chiming in 12 points. In total, Meralco had 39 bench points.

PHOTO: PBA Images

Magnolia also got support from its reserves two games ago against Terrafirma where the team totaled 46 with Ian Sangalang, coming off the bench in the import conference, providing 14 points.

Players to watch

Something to watch for Saturday's game is Paul Lee being a facilitator, as the Magnolia guard is averaging 10 assists in the past two games.

On the other side, Anjo Caram has upped his scoring in the last two games with an average of 13 points.

2024-09-07T10:14:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd