The quarterfinals of the 2024 PBA Governors Cup is on! I already gave my prediction for the Meralco-Ginebra match-up! It is time to predict the other series!
TNT VS NLEX
There is a good chance that in the eyes of many, this is the most boring match-up in the Quarterfinals. But if you look deeper, this is actually very interesting. TNT is a monster defensive team this Cup. They are forcing their opponent to 87.9 points per game.
They will face NLEX who bolsters the real best scoring duo in this tournament, Robert Bolick and Dequan Jones! Jones is currently averaging 40.0 per game.
I will enjoy watching TNT build up a fortress to limit this duo and NLEX trying to use their modern roster against the defensive monster of TNT.
At the end of the day duo, the difference in size and talent advantage of TNT will be enough to overcome NLEX.
Rain or Shine VS Magnolia
This is a style clash that I would love to see. Rain or Shine is playing the quickest pace in the league right now. It is their strategy to out-run every team that they are against. Magnolia is of course a perennial elite defensive team. So, will it be offense or defense?
The biggest conundrum when looking at this match-up is the talent advantage of Magnolia in comparison to the better play of Rain or Shine. If we will take it per match-up, Magnolia is clearly on advantage. If we count the number of good players, Rain or Shine wins.
Overall, I decided to go with what I saw and choose Magnolia in this series. There is a reason why there is a popular basketball philosophy of Defense wins championship. I think this is a close match-up that with the experience of Magnolia and with defense being a more reliable predictor of playoff success, I see them as the better choice.
San Miguel VS Converge
What I love about this match-up is the legends vs young guns feel of it. Converge brings a roster of fearless ballers led by Justin Arana, Deschon Winston and Alec Stockton. San Miguel clearly have the better line-up led by Junemar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo and CJ Perez.
One big question in this series is the health of SMB import, Jordan Adams. If he can play even at 90%, I think this can be a sweep.
If he cannot though, Converge may have a narrow path for an upset. Yes, San Miguel brought a back-up import but nobody knows if he is at par with Jordan Adams.
But of course, the easy choice here is San Miguel. I hope Converge can do the unthinkable and push this to game 5.
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