2019 PBA Com. Cup QF: Predictions - Will Magnolia-Ginebra and Rain or Shine-Blackwater end in game 2?

(c) PBA Media Bureau

Wow! I did not expect that the first games of both best-of-three series would be that close and good! The more talented Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel outplayed Magnolia Hotshots. While the more experienced Rain or Shine Elasto Painters came from behind against Blackwater Elite.

So, will the two series push through to game three? Or will it end already on Tuesday?

Let me predict.

BLACKWATER-RAIN OR SHINE

It was a nip-and-tuck game. In the end, Rain or Shine managed to come up with clutch shots and the Elite failed to deliver.

I saw two crucial things in the game that will help determine the winner of game 2. First, it was pretty obvious that Greg is still feeling himself in the scheme of the Elite. And in a way, that is a positive for the Elite because they managed to still have a chance to win and even have the lead in the 4th quarter.

The other one was the 50 three-point attempts of the Elasto Painters. They will live and die with the long shot and that will still be their mantra in the playoffs. Their efficiency was bad in the game so there is a good chance that they can have a good shooting night in the 2nd game.

Overall, I think game 1 was already the game that the Elite was supposed to win. They failed to deliver. Now that the Elasto Painters have seen what they bring to the table, I think the Painters will punch their ticket to the semis this Tuesday. 

GINEBRA-MAGNOLIA
Game 1 showed how big is the role of Rafi Reavis is on the defense of Magnolia. It also speaks about the difference between James Farr and Rakeem Christmas. Christmas made their defense more versatile and capable of handling Ginebra.

Now, they need their defense to be as good if not even better to seal a game 3. They did pretty well in denying Brownlee the ball. Although, Ginebra can have an easy on that by making Brownlee the de facto point guard so that he has the ball right away.

One thing that has not changed is the fact that Magnolia doesn't have a defender that can make life harder for Brownlee for at least 36 minutes.

One thing that I expect in game 2 will be a better offensive game by Christmas. I think, with a few days of practice with the team and his teammates, he should be more fluid in executing their offense.

Now, which team, will win game 2.

I am leaning towards Ginebra. Although, controversial manipulation allegations dictates that the PBA will push this to game 3. I believed Ginebra has way more paths to take to win game 2 while Magnolia may need to take the same strategy that they did in game 1 and hope for the best.

So, Ginebra will win game 2.