44TNT struggled in the eliminations while Magnolia was nearly untouchable, which explains why the Hotshots are favored to hurdle the Tropang Giga.
But TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa remained unfazed and insisted his charges can pull off a big surprise in their Last Eight duel.
“Just avoid getting blown out,” Lastimosa said in jest. “Kidding aside, in our losses in this conference, aside from the one against Meralco, we were competing.
“Even when we went all-Filipino against Ginebra, we competed and that has been one thing consistent for us,” he added.
The twice-to-beat Hotshots try to make short work of the Tropang Giga when they collide tonight as the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup get going at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The nightcap is set at 8 o’clock, after fourth-ranked Phoenix, also armed with a win-once incentive, battles fifth seed Meralco in the curtain-raiser at 4.
Playing with an undermanned line-up for most part of the season-opening tilt and changing import from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to his older brother Rahlir, TNT could not be written off, according to Lastimosa.
“It just so happened that we didn’t have the line-up that we wanted (this tournament), which is why towards the end, we fell short,” Lastimosa said after his wards blasted the Fuel Masters 116-96 three nights back to clinch the last spot in the playoffs with a 5-6 slate.
“But now with Roger (Pogoy) back, I think we can now have enough guys to perform down the stretch.”
Aside from Hollis-Jefferson, the likes of the returning Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, and rookie Kim Aurin will be counted upon by the Tropang Giga to deliver.
Magnolia tactician Chito Victolero stressed the playoffs “are a different animal” and they could not afford to look past TNT.
“Alam ng mga players na every time you go to the playoffs, very different atmosphere,” Victolero said. “Iba iyong approach. You go to the next level.”
The Hotshots wound up with a 9-2 mark after the eliminations, counting an 80-85 loss to the Bolts last Jan. 6 in Iloilo.
Magnolia will pin its hopes on reinforcement Tyler Bey, Jio Jalalon, Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Calvin Abueva.
The Hotshots downed the Tropang Giga 110-102 when they first met in the conference’s opening tiff last Nov. 5.
“We’re gonna work our butts off. We have to double our efforts. If they’re gonna come in at 100 percent, we should come in at 120,” Phoenix strategist Jamike Jarin said. “The thing is, they’ve got a lot of (playoffs) experience, and their backs are against the wall so they’re gonna come in really aggressive.
“Ang maganda lang dito, we just played them a week ago so fresh pa ang lessons from that game. They’re gonna make their adjustments, they’re gonna come in also with a different game plan so it’s gonna be very interesting.”
The Fuel Masters ended the eliminations with an 8-3 record in a three-way tie with San Miguel Beer and defending champion Ginebra but was relegated to No. 4 due to the winner over the other rule.
Import Johnathan Williams, Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio, RJ Jazul, and Jayjay Alejandro are expected to rise for Phoenix.
Bolts coach Luigi Trillo, whose team fell to the Fuel Masters 83-93 seven days ago, is convinced they can give their foes a run for their money.
“The key is for us to play playoff basketball. We have to throw everything at them, pati kitchen sink, kumbaga,” Trillo said.
“I think we’ll be better this time. We’ll handle them much better. I think we’ll be better this time. We’ll handle them much better.”
Meralco will rely on reinforcement Shonn Miller, Chris Banchero, Chris Newssome, Aaron Black, and Bong Quinto.
