Meralco Bolts vs Magnolia Hotshots Prediction & Betting Tips - PBA, Governors Cup

Prediction published on 26/03/2022, 05:29  by Joseph King | Modified on 26/03/2022 at 11:29 in Basketball Predictions

The Governors’ Cup semifinals continue on Sunday for a crucial game three between the Magnolia Hotshots and the Meralco Bolts with the series tied at one apiece. The best of five format for the semifinals means that this series will be decided by the next team to win two more games and a loss here for either team will have them coming into game four facing elimination. Meralco, who finished the regular season with a record of 7-4 and the fourth seed, showed good spirit to fight back after a 94-80 game one loss to take game two 81-75 in a much improved defensive display. They’ll have to continue that same type of defensive performance if they are to beat the top seeded Magnolia who finished the season with a record of 9-2 and were the second highest scoring team in the league.

The key battle that could very well decide this series is between both team’s star import players. For Magnolia, they have one of the league’s very best in Mike Harris. The 38-year-old, 2017-18 Governors’ Cup best import award winner Harris ranks third in the league in scoring, averaging 29.64 points per game while pulling down 13.73 rebounds. Harris has maintained his usual consistency in the first two games of the series, leading each game in scoring with 26 points and 16 rebounds in game one followed up by a solid 25 points and 17 rebounds in the game two loss. His rival for the series is Meralco’s Tony Bishop who averages almost identical regular season numbers. The 32-year-old suffered a disappointing game one which saw him contribute only 10 points on an ugly 5 of 19 shooting from the field but was able to bounce back in game two pouring in 22 points and grabbing 14 boards.