2022–23 PBA Commissioner's Cup

[Questat]

Crazy game between Batang Pier and Tropang Giga! In the 1st quarter, Batang Pier controlled the game, but the 2nd quarter saw the opposite happen as Tropang Giga dominated with 47 points, while their opponent scored only 16 points.

I think we already know how this game will go. I don't believe Tropang Giga will allow their opponent to make a comeback. They might relax a bit in the 3rd quarter, but their lead is already substantial enough to give them a significant chance of winning.

TNT won the game, no question. However, they didn't get tired in the 3rd quarter, but only in the 4th, as Northport won that quarter. It wasn't an entertaining game to watch, actually. Well, that was expected, so let's hope that the last game for today between the Beermen and NLEX will be an interesting one.

[1715239744]

1715239744

[Fredomago]

Crazy game between Batang Pier and Tropang Giga! In the 1st quarter, Batang Pier controlled the game, but the 2nd quarter saw the opposite happen as Tropang Giga dominated with 47 points, while their opponent scored only 16 points.

I think we already know how this game will go. I don't believe Tropang Giga will allow their opponent to make a comeback. They might relax a bit in the 3rd quarter, but their lead is already substantial enough to give them a significant chance of winning.

TNT won the game, no question. However, they didn't get tired in the 3rd quarter, but only in the 4th, as Northport won that quarter. It wasn't an entertaining game to watch, actually. Well, that was expected, so let's hope that the last game for today between the Beermen and NLEX will be an interesting one.

They established the lead after the 3rd quarter and just let the game to continue during the 4th, they've relaxed and for those who bets during live game, the handicap is +35 for the NP before the 4th quarter start, those who take the risk and gamble the odd if I'm not mistaken is @1.90, sweet enough to take the win.

2nd game NLEX against SMB, these games might give some decent entertainment unlike the first game where TNT dominated the game after the 1st quarter and established huge deficit to secure the win.

[Natalim]

2nd game NLEX against SMB, these games might give some decent entertainment unlike the first game where TNT dominated the game after the 1st quarter and established huge deficit to secure the win.

I hope it's not the same as the first game. SMB is now leading by double digits after the 1st half. NLEX just needs to have a strong 3rd quarter and reduce the lead to single digits so we can have an exciting 4th quarter. NLEX is quite competitive, so I believe this team will bounce back for sure.

[Fredomago]

2nd game NLEX against SMB, these games might give some decent entertainment unlike the first game where TNT dominated the game after the 1st quarter and established huge deficit to secure the win.

I hope it's not the same as the first game. SMB is now leading by double digits after the 1st half. NLEX just needs to have a strong 3rd quarter and reduce the lead to single digits so we can have an exciting 4th quarter. NLEX is quite competitive, so I believe this team will bounce back for sure.

I was impressed by NLEX when they rally back and almost snatch this in the last 6 minutes of the game, that 3 point conversion from Alas was the closes they managed to cut the lead into 5 points but Enciso answer it back then Alas make a turnover and a quick two for Perez to make the lead back to double digits.

If NLEX manages to make a good stop, they might get the momentum to favor them, but that arrow from Enciso is really the sealing
shot to win this game.

[bisdak40]

2nd game NLEX against SMB, these games might give some decent entertainment unlike the first game where TNT dominated the game after the 1st quarter and established huge deficit to secure the win.

I hope it's not the same as the first game. SMB is now leading by double digits after the 1st half. NLEX just needs to have a strong 3rd quarter and reduce the lead to single digits so we can have an exciting 4th quarter. NLEX is quite competitive, so I believe this team will bounce back for sure.

I was impressed by NLEX when they rally back and almost snatch this in the last 6 minutes of the game, that 3 point conversion from Alas was the closes they managed to cut the lead into 5 points but Enciso answer it back then Alas make a turnover and a quick two for Perez to make the lead back to double digits.

If NLEX manages to make a good stop, they might get the momentum to favor them, but that arrow from Enciso is really the sealing
shot to win this game.

Good win by SMB Beermen last night and our speculations that NLEX would beat them as Fajardo was not around didn't come true, lost my bet but no regret as NLEX fought back in the fourth quarter but the effort was not enough to snatch the win.

Clark had a monster game, pouring in 45 points which I think is the biggest factor why they have beaten the Road Warriors plus he got some big help from CJ Perez and Simon Enciso.

Friday would be exciting for them as they will be playing against ROS ElastoPainters and a win would land them in the top 2 of the standings so i think that would be exciting also to bet for them.

[harizen]

Same here because Fajardo won't be around playing for the Beermen for at least six weeks as the injury he sustained in the ESL cup was worse than expected.

I believed 6 weeks is not even enough to cover the whole recovery period for Fajardo's injury.

If able to play, for let's say being cleared after 6 weeks, Fajardo might return to the PBA Finals but not expecting him to return on his usual form.

But obviously, Beermen should do their best to reach that stage. It is surely a tough challenge for them to play without Fajardo on board to reach the Finals.

[LogitechMouse]

Same here because Fajardo won't be around playing for the Beermen for at least six weeks as the injury he sustained in the ESL cup was worse than expected.

I believed 6 weeks is not even enough to cover the whole recovery period for Fajardo's injury.

If able to play, for let's say being cleared after 6 weeks, Fajardo might return to the PBA Finals but not expecting him to return on his usual form.

But obviously, Beermen should do their best to reach that stage. It is surely a tough challenge for them to play without Fajardo on board to reach the Finals.

Well, it seems like the Beermen are still fine even without him looking on how they win against the NLEX yesterday.

6 weeks is what their doctor said, I also agree with what you said that if he comes back, he isn't the usual JMF that we used to see on the court that's dominating the paint, shooting perimeter shots etc. etc. I guess Clark will be having more playing time at the center position now that Fajardo might not play until the Finals (if they will enter the Finals).

On the other hand, that lost by the NLEX Road Warriors put them from 4th spot to 6th spot. I'm not pretty sure if how many teams will have a twice to beat advantage, but if the top 4 has it then the Road Warriors missed the opportunity that they need, and instead, they are now on a twice to beat disadvantage.

Right now, the only series that is sure to happen is the 4-5 series which is the Meralco (4th) and the Magnolia (5th). Phoenix is sure at the 8th spot, Converge is sure at the 7th spot while NLEX is sure at the 6th spot, and all of them are waiting for their opponents.

[Ziskinberg]

Same here because Fajardo won't be around playing for the Beermen for at least six weeks as the injury he sustained in the ESL cup was worse than expected.

I believed 6 weeks is not even enough to cover the whole recovery period for Fajardo's injury.

If able to play, for let's say being cleared after 6 weeks, Fajardo might return to the PBA Finals but not expecting him to return on his usual form.

But obviously, Beermen should do their best to reach that stage. It is surely a tough challenge for them to play without Fajardo on board to reach the Finals.

What happened to Fajardo gives the other teams an advantage, especially the Gin Kings, who will soon have a healthy Japeth. If Fajardo returns to the finals, that's a big if because I don't think SMB Beermeen will reach the Finals without Fajardo. Maybe their coach has some alternatives, as they don't rely on JMF a lot in the game. He has his own style of play, which uses CJ Perez as their main man.

[Sanitough]

Tomorrow, we will witness a very good matchup between TNT and the Gin Kings, and the odds so far are both at 1.90. I'm sure Ginebra bettors will put a lot of money due to the odds, but we cannot underestimate TNT because they are also playing very well. They have lots of shooters that could give the Gin Kings some trouble.

What are your thoughts? Personally, I am now tempted to bet on TNT. Why? Because it's not Sunday! LOL

[Maslate]

Tomorrow, we will witness a very good matchup between TNT and the Gin Kings, and the odds so far are both at 1.90. I'm sure Ginebra bettors will put a lot of money due to the odds, but we cannot underestimate TNT because they are also playing very well. They have lots of shooters that could give the Gin Kings some trouble.

I hope everyone is playing. Pogoy was already back in their previous game, so TNT is now a complete squad. As of now, the odds have moved a bit, with TNT at 1.95 and Ginebra at 1.77.

What are your thoughts? Personally, I am now tempted to bet on TNT. Why? Because it's not Sunday! LOL

I think either team can win, but when it comes to import matchup, I still think Brownlee has the edge. However, when it comes to the locals, I'll give that to TNT because they have Jason Castro.

[bisdak40]

Tomorrow, we will witness a very good matchup between TNT and the Gin Kings, and the odds so far are both at 1.90. I'm sure Ginebra bettors will put a lot of money due to the odds, but we cannot underestimate TNT because they are also playing very well. They have lots of shooters that could give the Gin Kings some trouble.

What are your thoughts? Personally, I am now tempted to bet on TNT. Why? Because it's not Sunday! LOL

This TNT vs Ginebra game is 50-50 for me but i'm leaning more to bet for the Kings since they have improved shooting from the outside with Gray and Malonzo in their roster.

The Kings now are not missing the services of Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio since the Bulldozer CStand is playing very well that makes them a team to beat at the moment.

Let's hope that this game will turned out to be good as we expected. Good luck to us all.

[goinmerry]

I think Fajardo being out in a conference where teams have import doesn't have any impact on the team.

Their import can cover the absence of Fajardo and many ways as they shared roles on the court.

If we are on All-Filipino, and Fajardo is out, I would say other teams have an advantage over San Miguel Beermen.

[Maslate]

I think Fajardo being out in a conference where teams have import doesn't have any impact on the team.

Their import can cover the absence of Fajardo and many ways as they shared roles on the court.

If we are on All-Filipino, and Fajardo is out, I would say other teams have an advantage over San Miguel Beermen.

Yeah, it's a bit of a bummer that Fajardo might not play this conference anymore due to injury. He's a total beast on the court and makes life easier for the imports. But, hey, if he's out, we can't change that. I'm just hoping that SMB can still hold their own and give a good fight against tough teams, especially the Gin Kings.

[Questat]

Another win for SMB, as expected. ROS wasn't going to win because they played all Filipino players. They made the game a little interesting when they had a big 3rd quarter run, but the 4th quarter belonged to SMB, resulting in a big margin win, so they covered the spread, I guess.

Five players from SMB scored at least 20 points, including Lassiter with 20 points, Clark with 20 points, Perez with 20 points, Manuel with 23 points, and Tautuaa with 23 points.

The big men filled the scoring gap in the absence of JMF.

[bisdak40]

Another win for SMB, as expected. ROS wasn't going to win because they played all Filipino players. They made the game a little interesting when they had a big 3rd quarter run, but the 4th quarter belonged to SMB, resulting in a big margin win, so they covered the spread, I guess.

Five players from SMB scored at least 20 points, including Lassiter with 20 points, Clark with 20 points, Perez with 20 points, Manuel with 23 points, and Tautuaa with 23 points.

The big men filled the scoring gap in the absence of JMF.

That was an expected win by the Beermen, all we want to know is how much the margin of the win and i think the Beermen cover the spread as i think it was -11.5 before the game started.

Anyways, they might still end up in the third place though if Ginebra Kings will win their game tonight against TNT Katropa which i think they will because they are now leading by double digit going into the fourth quarter.

[Kelvinid]

Anyways, they might still end up in the third place though if Ginebra Kings will win their game tonight against TNT Katropa which i think they will because they are now leading by double digit going into the fourth quarter.

The first half belonged to Ginebra, while the second half belonged to TNT. I didn't see a good second-half team this game. It was supposed to be Ginebra who dominates in the second half, but TNT took over. However, despite the outcome, I'm happy to see that there's a team that could match up with Ginebra. So, we can't count TNT out of the championship talk.

[LogitechMouse]

THE STAGE HAS BEEN SET ALREADY!!!
The elimination round has been over and here are the current match-ups

1-8 match-up between TNT and Phoenix
4-5 match-up between Meralco and Magnolia

2-7 match-up between SMB and Converge
3-6 match-up between Ginebra and NLEX

TNT ended the elimination with 10-1 record while the SMB ended up in a 2-game winning streak. I guess TNT really stepped up after their disappointing run in the Commissioner's Cup where all MVP teams didn't reach the playoffs. The 1st-4th seeded teams will have a twice to beat advantage while the 5th-8th will have the opposite.

Now come predictions. Here are my predictions.

1-8 match-up between TNT and Phoenix
- I'll go with TNT here. TNT will just defeat them very easily. Their import Hollis-Jefferson isn't known for his 3-point shots, but he's very efficient in the perimeter. He's like the DeRozan or CP3 of the PBA where they are very good at perimeter shots. TNT will win with this.

4-5 match-up between Meralco and Magnolia
- TBH, it's hard to pick which team will win on this one because even though Meralco won on this one, they only won by a I think 2 points only IIRC. This will be a good match, but I want to see Meralco winning on this so I'll choose the Bolts.

2-7 match-up between SMB and Converge
- SMB will win on this one. Converge got a replacement import already in Tom Vodanovich, but the chemistry is the big problem with them, and they will face SMB, but without Fajardo. Their import doesn't have that impressive stats with his stint with New Zealand team, so it's a question mark on how he will fit the team.

3-6 match-up between Ginebra and NLEX
- I think Ginebra will win on this one. I don't see how the NLEX will stop Brownlee and Standhardinger, and also include the times where Selden Jr. isn't that efficient when playing in some of their games. Ginebra will get this.

[Johnyz]

THE STAGE HAS BEEN SET ALREADY!!!
The elimination round has been over and here are the current match-ups

1-8 match-up between TNT and Phoenix
4-5 match-up between Meralco and Magnolia

2-7 match-up between SMB and Converge
3-6 match-up between Ginebra and NLEX

What a match up for this conference, and as expected the power house are still on a good run here with a great chance of moving forward.
TNT will obviously win here, TNT will be too much for Phoenix.
The most exciting match up between Meralco and Magnolia, but I'll go against the odds here and will bet to Meralco.
Even without Fajardo, I think SMB will be on a good position here, so I'll go for SMB and same thing with Ginebra.
Though its actually hard to tell who will win the championship as of the moment. 

[Sanitough]

I will make my own prediction. I like this match-up and I am confident that my favorite teams will advance.

TNT 1-0
Magnolia 2-1
SMB 1-0
Ginebra 2-1

The top 4 teams are in twice to beat advantage, right? So that's my prediction.
Magnolia vs Meralco is the only series I think will be an interesting game.

[bisdak40]

4-5 match-up between Meralco and Magnolia
- TBH, it's hard to pick which team will win on this one because even though Meralco won on this one, they only won by a I think 2 points only IIRC. This will be a good match, but I want to see Meralco winning on this so I'll choose the Bolts.

This is the only 50-50 match in the quarter-finals for me. Magnolia doesn't have the old reliable big as Sangalang is still out but that would be filled by their import so that makes this encounter competitive.

All the rest is predictable, i mean the favorites will win like you pointed out and when the semis came that's when things got exciting as Fajardo is out and it seems that the PBA governor's crown is open to everybody hehe.

Fearless prediction, TNT vs Ginebra in this PBA governor's cup 2023 finals.