Business
TNT Tropang Giga focuses on Magic 8 against Converge
Play Wednesday
(Phil Sports Arena)
4:30 PM – Blackwater vs. San Miguel
7:30 PM – TNT vs. Converge
TNT wants to play its cards well against the also-run Converge to advance to the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena today.
After a 2-3 start, the Tropang Giga turned up the heat, winning three of their next four assignments to work their way up the tight standings.
Chot Reyes and his troops are now tied for third through fifth place with NLEX and Magnolia at 5-4, needing just one more win to keep the Magic 8 going smoothly.
If they make the most of this opportunity in the 7:30 PM Labor Day tiff against the eliminated FiberXers (1-9), the TNT Tropang Giga will join early qualifiers San Miguel Beer (9-0) and Ginebra (7-3) with a game to include in their elims slate.
Undefeated San Miguel Beer (SMB), already assured of No. 1 seeding and twice-to-beat advantage, is chasing their 10e straight and one shy of a rare elims sweep in the 4.30pm curtain-raiser against embattled Blackwater (3-6).
Ahead of the potential Last-8 finale, Mr. Reyes underlined the importance of a strong performance from start to finish.
“We haven’t played a full game yet,” said Mr. Reyes, who spoiled how the Tropang Giga played “terribly” in the first half before playing well in the second half in their last two games against Ginebra (83-97 loss ). and Phoenix (108-101 win).
“We have to keep working and fixing things to put together a quality 48 minutes.”
Meanwhile, Jorge Gallent and the rampaging SMB are not yet thinking about a victory they will achieve if they stop Blackwater Wednesday and Meralco on May 4.
“If it comes, it will come, but that’s not really in our minds. We just take it one step at a time and prepare for each team as it comes along,” said Mr. Gallent.
“Our next goal is 10e to win. All we think about now is Blackwater.”
Notes: Meralco’s All-Filipino drive took a major blow when guard Aaron Black was determined to have torn an ACL in the Bolts’ 74-51 loss to Magnolia last Sunday. He will be out for the rest of the season. “I will come back from this stronger,” Mr. Black said on the team’s social media accounts yesterday… In honor of Labor Day, the PBA is offering free tickets to employees on a first-come, first-served basis. Under the promo titled: “PBA Mayo Uno: Pasasalamat sa Manggagawang PilipinoFans must show a company ID or proof of employment to gain free entry to the games. — Olmin Leyba
