DEFENDING champion TNT eyes payback against NLEX when the two squads collide in round 2 of their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup elimination round match on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The TNT-NLEX match kicks off at 7:30 p.m., part of the double header that was originally scheduled at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, but had to be moved to the Antipolo venue due to the massive flooding being experienced in Metro Manila brought about by the southeastern monsoon.
The roof of the Ninoy Aquino Stadium is currently being repaired as the PBA’s last two play dates last week was halted twice due to leak brought about by heavy rains.
NLEX is coming a 114-109 loss to Terrafirma to put an end to the team’s amazing 6-0 start under new coach Jimmy Alapag.
Still, the Road Warriors are determined to bounce back, with the psychological edge after taking an 88-83 win against the Tropang 5G in the first round in their Group A battle.
TNT, meanwhile opened Round 2 with a statement game, manhandling Titan Ultra, 114-80, with RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading back in harness after being out for a long while due to injuries.
Big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser has also returned, thus giving TNT the much needed shot in the arm in its title-retention bid.
“It’s a big thing that we have an almost complete complement at our disposal today,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Heading, the left-handed Fil-Aussie gunner, knocked down a game-high 23 points highlighted by four triples, along five assists as the Tropang 5G avenge their first round loss to the Giant Risers.
“We really made a concerted effort to focus on defense. Even when we lost to NLEX, I thought we played great defense except we just couldn’t put points on the board because we didn’t have Jordan and Roger in that game. Thankfully, we had both of them in,” said Reyes.
In the opening game at 5:15 p.m. Converge tries to keep its sagging fortunes for the playoffs alive when it battles Terrafirma.
The FiberXers have been on a tailspin since opening the conference with three straight wins.
The boys of coach Delta Pineda has lost its last four outings, but will try to use the game against Terrafirma as a chance to regain its composure.
Converge scored a 105-103 escape act against Terrafirma in their first round meeting. RICHARD DY
