PERFECT in their first two games, coach Chot Reyes of defending champion TNT is not one to look past Converge.
“I’d like to think that, but we won’t have the luxury, because coming up next is Converge and you saw how good their import is,” Reyes said. “So that’s something that’s going to be a very different challenge for us. They play a very different game to Meralco.
“We can’t dwell on our record or this victory because right now our focus just has to be on Converge and nothing else,” he added after the Tropang Giga blasted the Meralco Bolts 93-73 last Thursday.
TNT stakes its unbeaten run when it takes on Converge today in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The clash is set at 5 p.m., with the Tropang Giga seeking a third win in as many outings against a FiberXers squad keen on recovering from a 93-105 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots four days ago that dropped them to 1-1 early in the season-opening tilt.
San Miguel Beer also tries to jack up its card to 3-0 when it faces Ginebra in Group B in the nightcap at 7:30.
TNT will draw strength from the likes of reigning best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, and JP Erram in lieu of injured stars Roger Pogoy (back) and Kelly Williams (calf).
“The good thing is, our younger players are stepping up, our new guys are stepping up,” Reyes said. “So, I think there’s one good thing that we’re seeing is the integration of the newbies with the rest of the team.”
Reinforcement Scotty Hopson, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston are raring to lead Converge to a bounce back triumph.
The Beermen cannot afford a so-so first half like they did in a 128-108 shellacking of the impot-less Blackwater Bossing last Sunday, according to SMB tactician Jorge Gallent.
“We can’t do how we played in the first half (against Blackwater). Definitely Ginebra will blow us out,” he said. “What we did in the second half is what we should bring to the Ginebra game.
“If we do that, we have a chance to keep the game close and have a chance to win it at the endgame.”
SMB import Jordan Adams will team up with reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Jericho Cruz, Kris Rosales, and Vic Manuel.
The Kings dropped a 64-73 defeat to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their opening game last Saturday in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
The Tim Cone-mentored Ginebra quintet will bank on resident import Justin Brownlee, former MVP Scottie Thomspon, Japeth Aguilar, and new additions Isaac Go and Stephen Holt, and rookie RJ Abarrientos.
The Tropang Giga and SMB want to keep their winning run going while the FiberXers and Ginebra eye a big redemption. Who will succeed will be known today.
