PBA: Crowd favorites B-MEG, Ginebra duel for 1st-round playoff bye

B-MEG and Ginebra—two of the biggest franchises currently in the PBA—will go to war anew in the second of a pair of position-deciding games in the Commissioner's Cup Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. At stake for the Llamados and the Gin Kings is a direct trip to the conference semifinals, while the loser must contend with the winner of the earlier Meralco Bolts-Powerade Tigers tussle. These two sister teams had hoped to avoid such a playoff game, but when the other San Miguel Corporation-owned squad, the Petron Blaze Boosters, dropped their final game against the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, it gave the latter team, also the defending champions, the league-best record and sealed the B-MEG and BGK duel What happened before In their regular season meeting last March 11, the Llamados triumphed 109-93, in a game that started as a back-and-forth affair. Entering the final quarter, B-MEG enjoyed a 75-69 lead, but Ginebra rallied to tie things at 85-all midway through the period. Unfortunately, the Kings couldn't complete the rally, as the B-MEG guards exploded for a decisive and closing 18-4 run that handed the Llamados the win. After the dust had settled, B-MEG guard Peter June Simon told reporters, "We really need to win this one since kapag natalo kami, malaki ang ibababa namin sa standings."  

B-MEG	March 11, 2012	Ginebra
109	Points	93
69.2%	Three-point percentage	47.1%
56.4%	Field goal percentage	48.1%
46	Rebounds	37
22	Assists	29
16	Fast break points	11
10	Second chance points	9
16	Turnover points	13
34	Fourth quarter scoring	24

  B-MEG won this one behind their superior shooting, making a season-high 56.41 percent of their shots. It was conversely Ginebra's worst defensive effort, the only time in their nine games the Kings allowed better than 50 percent shooting. Helping the Llamados amass such a percentage was their keen sniping from downtown. Though both squads were accurate from beyond the arc, the Kings were 8-of-17 for 47.1 percent, the Llamados were even better, converting nine of their 13 attempts for a 69.2 percent clip, to become the only team to top the 60 percent mark in the Commissioner's Cup. Rebounding was another telling stat. B-MEG, led by import Denzel Bowles' 15-rebound feat, won the battle of the glass, 46-37, 13-10 on offensive rebounds. In fact, not a single King got double-digit rebounds, the only time this happened in the conference to BGK. Rookie Mark Barroca also helped the Llamados win this game. The former Smart Gilas-Pilipinas national squad dropped a career-best 18 points, to lead the B-MEG locals in scoring. Interestingly enough, it was another former Gilas member that led Ginebra in terms of points, as Dylan Ababou notched 15 in the loss. Outlooks

B-MEG	AVERAGES	Ginebra
92.78	Points	90.33
45.29%	Field goal percentage	42.71%
62.01%	Free throw percentage	53.68%
33.11	Defensive rebounds	37.44
15.00	Offensive rebounds	18.67
10.78	Turnover points	14.33
88.78	Points allowed	89.67
16	Turnover points	13
34	Fourth quarter scoring	24
38.97%	Three-point percentage allowed	36.99%
44.03%	Two-point percentage allowed	40.14%

  A look at what the Llamados have done this conference gives you an idea of how they're going to approach this important game. Currently, B-MEG leads the league in field goal percentage, meaning they're the most efficient shooting team out there. As a result, opponents grab far less rebounds, the fewest in the league actually, meaning they're unable to run as much. B-MEG's weak point showed somewhat in its last game versus Ginebra. The Llamados are lousy at defending the perimeter, allowing a league-worst 38.97 percent from three-point land. While they made up for it by outshooting the Kings, there's no guarantee they'll be able to replicate that feat in this game. On the flipside, it's all about defense for Barangay Ginebra. They have a host of gaudy defensive stats, including allowing the fewest points, assists, and the lowest two-point and field goal percentages. In the end, this game will come down simply to who can convert at a more efficient rate from the field. Will it be the Llamados and their triangle offense, or will the Kings stymie their opponent's offensive flow? Fans will find out on Friday. X-Factors Will King James reign?

Last three games	PTS	3PT%	2PT%	FT%	REB	AST	TO
James Yap	12.00	35.29%	20.59%	58.33%	4.00	1.67	1.67

Yap has been on a shooting slump of late, with his problems being exacerbated by an ankle injury he suffered in practice, but he still managed to come up big in the Llamados' last game against Powerade. Holding a one-possession 46-43 halftime advantage, Yap helped break the game open with three triples in the period, building a lead of as much as 14 points. With B-MEG's host of guards on its roster, they don't need Yap to be a scoring machine, but when the chips are down, they'll need him to be their go-to-guy, especially in a game with so much on the line. Will the "Cool Cat" take the point?

Last two games	MIN	PTS	FG%	REB	AST	STL	TO
Mike Cortez	35.00	15.00	52.17%	5.00	10.00	1.50	1.00

  With Jayjay Helterbrand resting his hamstring, it's been Mike Cortez running the point for Ginebra in their last two games, and he's been doing a magnificent job at the position, averaging a double-double while shooting at a high clip and norming just a single turnover. It's still up in the air as to whether or not Helterbrand will be fielded against B-MEG, as the team may be content to just make the playoffs and get him going there. If he decides to sit out Friday's game though, Cortez will be there to pick up the slack and quarterback this Ginebra quintet. — JVP, GMA News