GAMES TODAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. – NLEX vs. TNT
7:30 p.m. – Terrafirma vs. Ginebra
NOW comes the hard part for TNT.
Foiled in their triple crown bid 14 years ago, the Tropang 5G get a shot at history anew when they kick off their drive in the season-ending tourney, one they hope to culminate in a fitting finale much like the last conference.
TNT launches its campaign when it takes on NLEX today as the PBA Philippine Cup resumes at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The game is set at 5 p.m. with all eyes on the import-less Tropang 5G after they ruled the first two tilts of the season—the Governors’ Cup late last year and the Commissioner’s Cup last month—both with ace reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Ginebra, bridesmaid to TNT in the past two Big Dance, also makes its debut against Terrafirma in the nightcap at 7:30 after the pro league took a one-week break for the Lenten season.
Road Warriors coach Jong Uichico is convinced the Chot Reyes-mentored Tropang 5G crew should be favored even without Hollis-Jefferson and the fact that TNT only hit the ground running last week for its quest for a treble.
“When a team is well-oiled machine, alam na nila iyong ginagawa nila,” offered Uichico. “So, they don’t need a lot of practice time kasi nandiyan na iyan.
“Nandiyan na iyan. Alam nila, magkakakilala na sila. All they have to do is practice a little bit, get their rhythm back, be in shape, and then they can play,” he added.
Makes a lot of sense, especially for the Tropang 5G who have the likes of Commissioner’s Cup finals MVP Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, JP Erram, and veterans Kelly Williams and Glenn Khobuntin.
Leaving no stone unturned, TNT signed free agent playmaker Simon Enciso to a two-year contract in a move to make up for the loss of main court general Jayson Castro, who is done for the season with a right knee injury.
NLEX will not plunge into action lacking a morale boost.
The Road Warriors blasted the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 109-95 last April 12, thanks to the likes of Xyrus Torres, Robert Bolick, Anthony Semerad, and Javee Mocon, who levelled their card to 1-1.
But Uichico knows his charges will have their hands full.
“It’s hard to say that we will take advantage of their (Tropang 5G) long layoff,” Uichico said. “Gusto ko nga huwag na silang mag-practice, magkita na lang sila sa laro, puwede rin, ‘di ba? Pero TNT is TNT.”
The Kings, who will cast their lot on former MVP Scottie Thompson, rookie RJ Abarrientos, Jamie Malonzo, Maverick Ahanmisi, and veteran Japeth Aguilar, certainly do not want another runner-up finish and a fiery win opposite the 1-2 Dyip.
Three days after Easter, TNT and Ginebra get their hunt—not for eggs— but for the crown finally going.
