GAMES TOMORROW
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. – Blackwater vs. NorthPort
7:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs. SMB
FORLORN.
That best described the face of TNT coach Chot Reyes for most of his charges’ opening match against NLEX last night. Who will not be disappointed?
Propped up by a balanced attack, the Road Warriors humbled the Tropang 5G 91-74 for their second straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico heaped praises on his team’s desire to play their A-Game—both the veterans and young guns.
“Aside from the veterans, like you said, we also need young players to give energy even when veterans are out and then they give another dimension to our game,” Uichico said. “It also challenges the veterans to play as hard as the young ones do and vice versa also.
“So, you know, it’s a good mix of veterans and the younger ones,” he added.
Gunner Robert Bolick paired 13 points with eight rebounds, on top of six assists for the Road Warriors, while JB Bahio chipped in a double-double of 13 markers and 12 boards, and four dimes.
Xyrus Torres (13), Javee Mocon (11), Enoch Valdez (10), and Brandon Ramirez (10) also played their part as NLEX did an encore to a 109-95 victory over Rain or Shine last April 12 and hiked its mark to 2-1.
It was a disappointing start to TNT’s bid in the season-ending tourney—and their drive for the coveted grand slam.
The Road Warriors zoomed to a 47-35 lead at the turn they sustained going into the fourth canto 68-51.
A Bahio free throw pushed NLEX’s edge to as much as 91-69 with only 2:04 to go.
Roger Pogoy paced the Tropang 5G with 12 points while Kelly Williams added 11.
Bahio hit a tough one-hander while falling away midway into the fourth that left Reyes shaking his head and shrugging off his hands in dismay on the bench.
Meanwhile, Blackwater shipped prolific guard James Kwekuteye for NorthPort big man Abu Tratter in a deal approved by pro league chief Willie Marcial yesterday.
