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PBA: NorthPort, Rain or Shine attempt to remain afloat

By Jonas Terrado

Games Sunday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Meralco

6:45 p.m. — NorthPort vs Ginebra

NorthPort’s Kevin Ferrer fires a jumper against Rain or Shine’s Jewel Ponferada in PBA Governors’ Cup. Both teams face quarterfinal-bound teams to keep their playoff bid alive Sunday. (PBA Images)

NorthPort and Rain or Shine fight for their lives against quarterfinal-bound teams already assured of the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Batang Pier take on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 6:45 p.m. while the Elasto Painters battle co-leader Meralco Bolts in the curtain raiser set at 4:30 p.m.

Expected to watch both matches intently are the Columbian Dyip, who finished the eliminations with a 4-7 record after their 113-90 loss to Ginebra last Friday at the Big Dome.

Columbian is banking on Ginebra to defeat NorthPort in order to gain at least a playoff for the eighth and final quarterfinals berth.

NorthPort is tied with Alaska at 4-6 while Rain or Shine still has a slim chance of forcing a playoff with its 3-7 card.

Alaska plays NLEX on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

NorthPort and Rain or Shine pulled off stunning upsets in their previous games to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Import Michael Qualls, Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony put an end to NLEX’s five-game run with a 102-94 win last Wednesday.

Rain or Shine on the other hand stunned San Miguel Beer by eking out a 91-85 victory over San Miguel Beer last Nov. 9 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Their fancied rivals are hoping to end the eliminations on a winning note and gain some momentum before the quarterfinals kick off on Nov. 24.

Meralco downed NorthPort 103-89 the previous Sunday in Antipolo City behind a career-high 30 points from backup guard Anjo Caram.

Ginebra secured the twice-to-beat against Columbian behind 10 points in the fourth quarter from Jeff Chan.

Tags: 2019 PBA Governors' Cup , Batang Pier , Christian Standhardinger , Columbian Dyip , Dyip , Elasto Painters , Michael Qualls , NorthPort , NorthPort Batang Pier , PBA Governors’ Cup , Rain or Shine , Rain or Shine Elasto Painters , ROS , Sean Anthony