MANILA, Philippines — NLEX shoots for a share of the lead with surprise leader Terrafirma when it battles defending champion TNT on Sunday’s PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
The Road Warriors opened the conference with back-to-back wins against the Blackwater Bossing and the Magnolia Hotshots.
Now, the team of coach Jong Uichico tries to keep the momentum going against a TNT side that’s still smarting from a 109-112 loss to Rain or Shine in a fight-marred game last Friday.
Haitian import Cady Lallane has been a strong fit for the Road Warriors, averaging 23 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.
Lallane and NLEX though will face a TNT squad, which will be motivated to bounce back hard with NBA veteran Bol Bol leading the way.
The 7-3 Bol made a solid impression after logging 38 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots in that loss versus ROS.
Bol’s intimidating presence is something NLEX will have to deal with.
Meanwhile, Magnolia is out to break a 0-2 start against Blackwater in their 5:15 p.m. collision.
The Hotshots have struggled to secure their first win despite getting all-around numbers of 29.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists from South Sudanese reinforcement Nuni Omot.
Magnolia will be facing Blackwater, which is out to snap out of its own 0-2 start with new import Robert Upshaw III.
Listed at seven feet, Upshaw takes the spot of injured Daniel Ochefu, who played through a hyperextended knee in the Bossing’s 99-88 loss to the Dyip.