GAMES TODAY
(PhilSports Arena, Pasig)
5 p.m. – NLEX vs. Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. – Magnolia vs. TNT
A LOSS and it will be goodbye for Rain or Shine, while much is on the line for TNT, which, if and when it falls, will see its cherished grand slam dream thrown to the mothballs for another season.
It’s the opposite for No. 2 NLEX and third-ranked Magnolia—they’re out to make good use of a reward they worked so hard for in the eliminations.
The Hotshots seek to oust the sixth-seeded Tropang 5G when they square off in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup tonight at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Game time is set at 7:30 after the Road Warriors, also armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, take on the No. 7 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the match officially kicking off the playoffs of the import-less tilt at 5 o’clock.
TNT shot itself in the foot when it yielded an 83-88 setback to Magnolia last week that dropped the Tropang 5G to 6-5 in a triple tie with Rain or Shine and reigning titlist Meralco at the end of the 11-game elims.
With gunner Calvin Oftana doubtful due to a sprained ankle he suffered the last time out, TNT will count on Roger Pogoy, JP Erram, Kelly Williams, and Jordan Heading to keep alive its hopes of completing a rare Triple Crown.
The likes of Zavier Lucero, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, and William Navarro are expected to power the Chito Victolero-mentored Hotshots.
Winding up with n 8-3 mark along with San Miguel Beer, Magnolia, and Ginebra, the situation offers a different but a welcome challenge for NLEX.
“Hindi pa kami that seasoned, unlike Rain or Shine. Though they are young, they have some young players, they’re already seasoned. We are (relatively) new to this situation. We’ve been always either looking up at the standings or not even given the chance to look at the standings,” Road Warriors coach Jong Uichico said. “But it is a good situation. We’ll just try to do the best we can with this opportunity that was given to us. Hopefully, we’d get over the hump.
“Ready naman kami sa sitwasyon na ganito. We’ll just try to play the way we have been playing and just hope, work for the best,” he added.
Prolific playmaker Robert Bolick, Xyrus Torres, Kevin Alas, Javee Mocon, JB Bahio, and Brandon Ramirez
Painters’ fiery tactician Yeng Guiao is not one to write off their chances—no matter how slim they are against his former team.
“Kailangan namin manalo ng dalawang beses against a strong team that’s been playing well,” Guiao, who will rely on Adrian Nocum, Leonard Santillan, Gian Mamumac, Caelan Tiongson, and Keith Datu, said. “Mayroon din sigurong advantage (sa playoff experience), pero maliit lang ito.
“Pero pare-parehong bata naman iyong mga player namin. Kaya kung may advantage man, maliit na maliit lang.”
Will it be title dreams over or the chase for the crown continues?
