ARMED with a twice-to-beat advantage, defending champion TNT is out to make short work of newcomer Converge.
To pull off their goal, Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes wants his troops to bring their A-Game against the young and athletic FiberXers.
“Iyong effort namin, our game in the elimination round, is not going to be enough come the playoffs,” Reyes said. “So, iyon ang focus talaga namin, na we have to raise the level of our game.”
TNT takes on Converge today in their quarterfinals duel in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The match pitting the No. 2 Tropang Giga and the seventh-ranked FiberXers is set at 3 p.mm before eliminations top seed San Miguel Beer tangles with No. 8 Blackwater at 6 o’clock.
After scoring a 106-92 whipping of Ginebra last July 10, TNT got a much-needed rest while Reyes called the shots for Gilas Pilipinas and center JP Erram suited up for the team in last week’s FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta.
The 17-day respite enabled injured players Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, and Brian Heruela to heal from their respective injuries.
Aside from Erram and Rosario, foremost among those expected to lead the way for the Tropang Giga are Mikey Williams, Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, and Kelly Williams.
Converge, coming off a 92-90 decision over the Bossing seven days ago, will pin its hopes on Maverick Ahanmisi, Abu Tratter, Kevin Racal, David Murrell, Tyrus Hill, Justin Arana, and RK Ilagan to forge a knockout game on a date and venue still be announced by the league.
The winner of the TNT-Converge quarterfinals showdown will face either Magnolia or NLEX in the semifinals.
The Tropang Giga edged the FiberXers 86-83 in their eliminations tiff last June 12.
Like TNT, the Beermen are keen on going the short route to the semifinals of the season-opening tourney and gain a shot at a semis tussle with either Meralco or Ginebra.
SMB dropped a numbing 86-89 loss to Meralco in its last elims outing last July 17 and will rely on June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Vic Manuel, Marcio Lassiter, and Mo Tautuaa.
Blackwater tactician Ariel Vanguardia vowed his team will go all-out against the favored Beermen,
“We’re blessed with this opportunity to be in the playoffs,” Vanguardia said. “San Miguel is the heavy favorite, but we’ll come out and put up the best fight we can.”
Rookies Ato Ular and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Rey Suerte, and veterans Jvee Casio and Baser Amer will be counted upon by the Bossing.
SMB eked out a 110-107 overtime decision over Blackwater when they first met last July 10.
