CHICAGO - One game.
That's what TNT's raring grand slam bid has come down to when the Tropang 5G battle Magnolia in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals showdown on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.
Already handicapped by No. 3-ranked Magnolia's twice-to-beat advantage, TNT's woes are exacerbated by the still swollen left ankle of star forward Calvin Oftana who suffered the injury last week.
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But with a triple crown pursuit at stake, the proud 29-year old Bisaya originally from Danao, Cebu will play.
"Bisan sakit ni idula ra ni nako (Even though it's painful, I'll play through it)," Oftana, who is averaging 20.3 points a game, told me via text message on Tuesday night.
BRAVE BISAYA.
Besides his intrepid spirit, the Gilas Pilipinas stalwart may require some legal pharmaceutical aid to alleviate the discomfort.
What a challenging past few months it has been for the mothership of the MVP Group.
Wounded by an 0-3 start to this conference, pummeled by injuries, and distracted by the now-ended Mikey Williams saga.
But it's not all doom and gloom because ace point guard Jordan Heading, who arrived at the telecommunications giants via the blockbuster Williams trade, will also see action.
"It's gonna be a fight," the Fil-Aussie told me as TNT gears up for battle following a mid-morning practice on Tuesday at the Moro gym inside the Ateneo campus. Sharpshooter Roger Pogoy is similarly available and ready to go.
STINGY DEFENSE.
TNT, which is No. 1 in the league in points allowed at 88 points per, will have to rely on its swarming, tenacious defense to slow down a potent Magnolia offense that churns 102.5 points a contest.
Eager to exorcise its own playoff demons, Magnolia practiced this morning at the PhilSports Arena where the mood was calm and focused.
Although they parade an impressive crew led by Zavier Lucero and William Navarro plus a slew of veterans and young guns, the Hotshots are expecting stiff resistance from Chot Reyes' chargers.
"Intimidating pa rin sila. They are the defending champions," a Magnolia player who requested anonymity, told me via text message.
Pelted with criticism over his team's "Introboys" tag, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero has the golden opportunity to achieve some measure of redemption by ending TNT's grand slam dream.
Can he deliver?
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