CAN defending champion TNT and Meralco make it two in a row?
That’s the intention when the Tropang Giga and Bolts tangle today for the early solo lead in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The duel is set at 7:30 p.m. after NLEX coach Jong Uichico makes his debut for the Road Warriors’ tiff with the Bossing in the curtain-raiser at 5 o’clock.
TNT will go into the game armed with a 101-95 victory over NorthPort in its opening match last Tuesday night.
The Tropang Giga will lean on reigning best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, along with the likes of Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, and veterans Jayson Castro and JP Erram.
Ditto with Meralco, which struck the new season’s maiden match with a 99-94 decision over Magnolia four nights ago.
Former best import Allen Durham will team up with Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Bong Quinto, and Aaron Black.
While he’s a veteran champion tactician, Uichico said he still has his work cut out for him after taking over at the helm of NLEX from Frankie Lim.
“We’ll see. Siyempre, pakiramdaman, feel things out,” Uichico said. “It’s been a while so pakiramdaman pa sa team, sa PBA itself, sa mga kalaban, sa team namin.
“Hindi naman ako talagang nawala. It’s just that when you are in a new team and you are putting in the things you want may adjustment period pa rin,” he added.
Reinforcement Myke Henry is expected to show the way for the Road Warriors along with high-scoring guard Robert Bolick.
But Uichico is hoping his troops’ solid showing in practices would carry over to games.
“Practice games will help. But since almost everything is bago, the adjustments will be during the games,” he said.
