Games on Friday
(Ynares Center Montalban)
5 P.M. – NLEX vs. Blackwater
7:30 P.M. – Phoenix VS TNT
A SLOW start like its 0-2 showing early in the PBA Philippine Cup isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for TNT.
Just last conference, the Tropang 5G, then carrying the Tropang Giga moniker, stumbled in their first two games as well. But warriors that they are, they turned things around and ultimately annexed the Commissioner’s Cup title to follow up their triumph in the Governors’ Cup.
Now, the troops of coach Chot Reyes look to replicate this U-turn and pump life into their aspirations for the third jewel in a season grand slam.
And the Tropang 5G aim to start the resurgence tonight when they face Phoenix (1-3) in the league’s maiden gig at the new Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
“Sana ganun din ‘yung resulta,” TNT ace RR Pogoy said.
To make this happen, though, the Tropang 5G need to urgently find ways to produce the numbers and channel the competitive nature of do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who’s not around in this all-Filipino campaign.
“Honestly, galing kami sa dalawang conferences na nandoon si Rondae so talagang nag-aadjust din kami,” Mr. Pogoy said.
“Lalo na sa depensa, talagang nandoon kaagad si Rondae sa ilalim. Saka lahat ng rebound kinukuha ni Rondae, di ba? So talagang nag-aadjust din kami.”
Mr. Pogoy, though, sees a good sign heading into the 7:30 p.m. tiff, noting their improving performance in the 100-94 loss to Converge compared to their play in the 91-74 opening defeat to NLEX.
“Ang sama ng start namin. Hindi namin makuha ‘yung laro namin. Pero buti naman nung second half, doon medyo maganda-ganda,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Road Warriors (2-1) eye a share of second spot with idle San Miguel (3-1) as they lock horns with Blackwater (1-2) in the 5 p.m. curtain raiser.
NLEX is driven to make it three straight but the Bossing are bent on going back-to-back after their conference breakthrough at the expense of NorthPort, 120-98. — Olmin Leyba
