DESPITE having a chance to clinch the No. 1 seeding in the quarterfinals, TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa is not putting too much pressure on his team’s final eliminations outing against defending champion Ginebra.
Lastimosa stressed the title will not be won after the eliminations.
“No. 1 or No. 2, it doesn’t really matter to me. It’s just nice to win against Ginebra but again it’s still an elimination round game and even if we win against Ginebra it doesn’t mean we will go deep into the playoffs,” Lastimosa said after his charges manhandled NorthPort 134-110 two days ago that jacked up their mark to a league-leading 9-1.
“What I’m trying to say is it’s just one game and nagkataon lang na Ginebra. I’m sure it’s going to be a nice game to watch and play. I’m excited for that game,” he added.
The Tropag Giga square off with the Kings today for the possible top seeding in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The match is set at 5:45 p.m. after San Miguel Beer, which still has a shot at the top slot, clashes with also-ran Rain or Shine in the curtain-raiser at 3 o’clock.
TNT is expected to get a big boost from the likes of import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Mikey Williams, Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro, and Kelly Williams, and Calvin Oftana.
Ginebra will go into battle armed with a 109-104 decision over Terrafirma last March 8.
Carrying an 8-2 card in a tie with the Beermen, the Kings will pin their hopes on naturalized Filipino player Justin Brownlee, reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, and Jeremiah Gray.
“We just have to play how we played tonight– play hard, exert effort, and play as a team. For me, if we play as a team, it’s hard to beat the San Miguel Beermen,” SMB tactician Jorge Gallent said after his wards brought down NLEX 120-106 last Wednesday.
“I hope they continue playing hard and playing with a lot of effort because I know June Mar (Fajardo) is a big factor here, so we really have to double up on offense and defense.”
With prized center Fajardo out for six to eight weeks due to an MCL injury, the Beermen will rely on reinforcement Cameron Clark, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Simon Enciso, Vic Manuel, and Mo Tautuaa.
