GAMES TODAY
(Ynares Center, Antipolo)
5 p.m. – Meralco vs. Blackwater
7:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs. TNT
CATCH a big break.
That’s the prevailing theme of the duels and what the protagonists intend to achieve when they battle as the import-less tilt enters its crucial juncture.
Defending champion Meralco takes on Blackwater today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The match is set at 5 p.m. before surging squads TNT and Rain or Shine clash in the nightcap at 7:30.
The Bolts have lost two in a row, including a highly physical and emotional 92-117 setback to the Magnolia Hotshots last Wednesday that dropped them to 3-5.
Meralco will have to try to taste the feeling of winning anew without bruising forward Cliff Hodge, who will serve a one-game suspension for an upgraded flagrant foul penalty two for his dangerous tackle on the head of Magnolia big man Zavier Lucero.
Hodge, a 13-year veteran, was also fined P100,000 for the perilous move mostly seen in WWE.
The likes of Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Aaron Black, Raymond Almazan, Brandon Bates, and Raymar Jose will be counted upon by the Bolts to deliver.
Also on a mini two-game losing slide are the Bossing of strategist Jeff Cariaso.
Christian David, Sedrick Barefield, RK Ilagan, and Troy Mallillin are expected to lead Blackwater’s bounce-back try from a 106-120 loss to the Elasto Painters last May 7 and improve its 1-4 slate.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao remained cautious as his charges tangle with the Tropang Giga, who will be without gunner Rey Nambatac, sidelined four to six weeks due to a pulled groin injury he suffered against Meralco.
“It’s a big break for us na alam naman natin wala na nga si Jayson (Castro) tapos ang ganda pa nang inilaro ni Rey sa last championship nila tapos ngayon nga may injury,” Guiao said. “Sa lahat ng team nangyayari iyan. So, you just have to be ready. Kung matapat sa iyo, you get a break.
“Pero kung matapat sa iyo iyong injury, ikaw ang nagkaroon ng injury, kasama din talaga sa laro iyon. So, it evens out in the long term. It really just evens out,” he added.
TNT tactician Reyes admitted the absence of the Commissioner’s Cup finals MVP should take a toll on his team’s remaining elimination campaign.
“Very big. He’s a huge part of our team,” Reyes said of the dependable lefty. “He does so many things for us. But that’s one of the other challenges that we have to face moving forward.”
The Tropang Giga are moving on, for now.
“We actually talked about it coming into the past weekend. We said, that was going to be a tough weekend for us. But then if we take care of business, then we can rest,” he said. “Like I said, the players did a great job staying connected and staying together even in the face of that great Meralco onslaught in the third quarter of our last game.
“So, iyon lang naman iyon. We had time to rest and focus on our next game.”
All four quintets—no matter how good or bad their situations are, only have one goal—boost their playoffs chances.
