CrazyMilkMan's 2015 PBA Commissioners' Cup Betting Thread

3. STAR PRINCE vs LEETHAL WEAPON

The match-up at the point guard spot will also be critical in this game as wily defensive wiz Mark Barroca will try to outplay the headstrong Paul Lee. Barroca has been doing really well of late, leading all Purefoods locals in scoring. Lee, meanwhile, has been tearing up the conference, averaging 18 points per game. It will be interesting to see who gets the better of whom in this encounter.

Barroca stats: 12.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.3apg, 51.3 FG%

Lee stats: 18.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.8apg, 52.0 3pt%, 42.9 FG%

Previous game (ROS over PUR, 83-74, last Nov. 30, 2014):

Barroca: 8pts, 5rebs, 1ast, 3/13 FGs

Lee: 18pts, 4rebs, 5asts, 5/16 FGs, 6/6 FTs

4. PINOY SAKURAGI vs ELASTIKMAN

The match-up in the frontcourt will be very important, too, as established veteran Marc Pingris tries to butt heads with young big man Raymond Almazan. Pingris has been playing really well this conference after an inconsistent campaign in the Philippine Cup, so it’ll be interesting to see how Almazan, playing in only his second season, will respond.

Pingris stats: 9.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.0apg, 65.2 FG%

Almazan stats: 6.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.0bpg, 60.0 FG%

5. SUPER SUBS vs SILENT ASSASSINS

– So far this conference, Purefoods has been doing really well thanks to the awesome performance of its bench, led by super subs Justin Melton and Allein Maliksi. Together with Barroca, both Melton and Maliksi have provided awesome firepower and depth off the bench for Purefoods. On the other end, ROS will rely on silent assassins Jonathan Uyloan and Gabe Norwood to counter the Hotshots’ reserves. If Uyloan can catch fire and Norwood can do what he does best — be a stopper — then ROS can neutralize coach Tim Cone’s bench mob.

Melton + Maliksi combined stats: 18.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.3apg, 2.3spg, 45.8 3pt%, 48.3 FG%

Uyloan + Norwood combined stats: 14.8ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.8apg, 2.3spg, 39.1 3pt%, 41.3 FG%

*In these teams’ previous meeting, Melton had 8pts, 11rebs, and 4asts, while Norwood compiled 11pts, 9rebs, and 2asts.

6. SHARING THE WEALTH

One thing going well for the Hotshots is that they’ve been sharing the basketball well. In their last game, the Hotshots were +13 in assists against NLEX. Purefoods assisted on 23 of their 28 made field goals — that’s a great testament to their teamwork. If they can continue doing that here, then the game may be over soon.

Assists vs NLX: 23 to 10

Melton – 6asts

Pingris – 4asts

Orton – 3asts

Devance – 3asts

7. PROTECT THE BALL

As for ROS, one thing that aided their downfall against Meralco was turnovers. The Painters were +6 in turnovers against the Bolts, and Meralco pounced on ROS’s errors, scoring 20 points-off-turnovers. Without a doubt, coach Yeng’s wards have to do a much better job of taking care of the basketball. Against a solid defensive team like Purefoods, the Painters will have to be on  top of their game.

Vs Meralco: 15 turnovers to Meralco’s 9

Jackson – 4 TOs

Tang, Araña, & Quiñahan – 2 TOs each

8. MOMENTUM WANTED

Upon looking at their remaining schedules, it’s clear that both these teams would benefit greatly from winning this game. If Purefoods wins, they’ll continue to be at first place and should have some cushion as they have dangerous Kia and sister teams Ginebra and SMB as their next three opponents. ROS, for its part, needs to win a bit more badly, especially because they won’t get any easy assignment in the near future. They battle Alaska, currently unbeaten Barako Bull, and SMB in their next three contests.