Eastern’s Top 4 Bid
- Eastern aims to recover from their 83-88 loss to Meralco and secure a 7-3 record in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a win against Terrafirma.
- The Hong Kong-based team has been dominant in its home league and the EASL Super League but has faced challenges in recent PBA games, losing two of its last three.
- A victory would strengthen their chances for a top-four finish in the PBA standings.
Terrafirma’s Struggles
- Terrafirma remains winless with a 0-10 record, recently losing 86-96 to Blackwater Bossing.
- Inconsistent performance and missed opportunities, including a poor free throw conversion rate (50% of 38 attempts), have compounded their struggles.
- The team appears to be focusing on finding effective combinations for the upcoming Philippine Cup in April.
Key Players and Team Outlook
- Eastern: Key contributors Hayden Blankley, Glen Yang, Chris McLaughlin, and Kobey Lam are expected to leverage their momentum from recent back-to-back wins in their local league and a decisive victory over San Miguel Beer in the EASL.
- Terrafirma: Players like Brandon Edwards, Louie Sangalang, and Brent Paraiso, along with veterans Stanley Pringle, Kevin Ferrer, Vic Manuel, and Terrence Romeo, must step up. Romeo and Manuel, in particular, face pressure to bounce back after a dismal combined performance in their last game.
Game Expectations
- Eastern enters as the heavy favorite, given their superior form and motivation to secure a top-four spot.
- Terrafirma seeks to salvage pride, but a win over Eastern seems unlikely due to their ongoing struggles and Eastern’s strong roster and form.
Eastern’s decisive edge makes them the favorites, while Terrafirma appears to be using the remaining games as preparation for future tournaments.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
