Converge Fiberxers vs San Miguel Beermen Predictions & Betting Tips (PBA, Governors Cup, Playoffs)

Prediction published on 18/03/2023, 14:08  by Joseph | Modified on 18/03/2023 at 14:08

The PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs begin with the San Miguel Beermen taking on Converge FiberXers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Beermen begin their hunt for a record 29th PBA Championship and can do a double after taking down the 2022/23 Philippine Cup to kick off the campaign. San Miguel comes into this matchup after finishing second in the standings with a record of nine wins and two losses. This gives the Beermen the “twice-to-beat” advantage where they will only have to beat their opponents once in this round while Converge will have to win two straight in this best of three series. The 28-time champions are coming off back-to-back victories after capping off their regular season with a 129-116 win over Rain or Shine on the final day. The Beermen displayed their wonderful depth in the win with no fewer than five players all scoring 20 or more points. 

Converge FiberXers come into this match in an extremely difficult spot. They closed their season out in close to the worst possible way, losing three straight and four of their last five games in the regular season. In addition, import player Jamaal Franklin, who was averaging an absurd 37.3 points per game and had already dropped 50 points twice, had a falling out with the coach resulting in his departure from the team. The FiberXers brought in Tom Vodanovich as his replacement, but it remains to be seen what kind of impact the New Zealand international can have with such a short time to acclimate to his teammates. Converge ended this season with a record of seven wins and four losses, ultimately securing the seventh seed in the standings. The one positive spin that the underdogs can take is that they were able to defeat the Beermen when the two teams met in the regular season.