Friday Preview and Prediction: TNT-ALA, ROS-NLEX

(c) PBA Media Bureau

We have a blockbuster Friday as Coach Yeng Guiao meets his former family. TNT and Alaska will try to continue their climb to the top.

TNT-ALA

Will this be the game that we finally see Jayson Castro in the starting line-up? Nevertheless, I expect him to play a vital role against the Aces that is on the groove on the last two games.  I am very interested to see the versatile frontline of Ka Tropa against the gritty bigmen of the Aces.

Prediction
Alaska has been relying their offense on their three-point shooting. That will be a bad news for TNT who is giving up the third most efficient 3FG% to their opponent.



Even with their great mark from the outside, Alaska is not that efficient on the field, 40.9% - 10th. The number that made me choose TNT was the number of fouls per game of the Aces, 27.2 - #1. TNT can take advantage of that with their 73.3% efficiency from the line.

ROS-NLEX

Storyline wise, this should be a great television match. Yeng Guiao was responsible on molding the Elasto Painters that we know today. He will try to bring the magic to the Road Warriors who has a very promising young core.

Prediction
Rain or Shine has some clear advantages in rebounding and in their defense. The Elasto Painters are grabbing 52.4 balls, best mark in the league, per game while NLEX can only snatch 44.4 per game.

On the other hand, the flow of the Elasto Painters will be tested with the best ability of the Road Warriors, force turnovers. Rain or Shine could have an easy time defending the outside because NLEX is the worst shooting team.

I want to go against the number here and choose NLEX. I just feel like they will try to prove something here and try to put a smile of coach Yeng's face.