TNT and defending champion San Miguel resume their respective PBA Philippine Cup campaigns, as they headline Saturday’s double-header in Antipolo City.
Here’s a preview of the two games featuring the Tropang 5G and the Beermen
TNT vs. NLEX
When: Dec. 13, 5:15 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center, Antipolo
The Tropang 5G are looking to bounce back from a nightmare loss to the Beermen a week ago, 110-95, as they take on the Road Warriors, who are also coming off a similar horrendous experience against Magnolia, 98-82.
TNT pursues quarterfinals berth
The 15-point drubbing at the hands of the reigning champions derailed TNT’s march to the playoffs and hurt its chances of finishing within the Upper 4 bracket of the standings that carries a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
The team welcomed back Calvin Oftana to the active roster after he previously missed their out-of-town game against Rain or Shine, and the Gilas Pilipinas forward responded by scoring 16 points on 3-of-7 three-point field goal shooting.
But the Tropang 5G were still without injured Roger Pogoy, who averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
The two, however, are expected to be back together to help TNT get off a two-game skid.
Poy Erram SEA Games-bound
The 5-3 Tropang 5G, however, won’t be having veteran center Poy Erram in their game against the Road Warriors, as he now joins Gilas in its 33rd Southeast Asian Games campaign.
READ: Poy Erram makes it to SEA Games as Gilas replacement for Liwag
Erram was a last-minute approval by the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee, and only left for Bangkok, Thailand Saturday morning in time for the team’s opening game against Malaysia the following day.
The 6-foot-8 Erram, takes the place of Allen Liwag in the national team, only played two games so far for TNT this season after coming off a knee injury he suffered during the finals of the Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Bolick-less Road Warriors
NLEX will be going to the game likewise with a handicap, as it will not have main scorer Robert Bolick around.
The high-scoring guard is also with Gilas in the SEA Games, and that meant the Road Warriors are going to miss his all-around numbers of 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
NLEX certainly needs to fill in those figures, more so as the team still lost against the Hotshots even with Bolick around last week.
The Road Warriors are currently tied at third-place with Magnolia and Converge, and remain in the running for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
SAN MIGUEL vs. BLACKWATER
When: Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center, Antipolo
On a roll, the Beermen are expected to take care of business against a Blackwater side that is already out of contention for a quarterfinals berth.
Hottest team of the conference
San Miguel turned things around after dropping its first two games of the season, winning its next six outings to take solo second at 6-2 behind leader Rain or Shine (7-2).
Down to their last three games of the eliminations, the reigning champions are looking to extend their run in a bid to finish as the No. 1 seeded team heading to the playoffs.
Hot-shooting CJ Perez
Partly credited for San Miguel’s league-best six-game winning run has been the heads-up play of guard CJ Perez.
After a slow start to the season due to the ankle injury he suffered in the FIBA Asia Cup, the former NCAA MVP has caught fire and averaged 29.5 points in the Beermen’s last two outings, including 33 points in the win over TNT.
Perez is also averaging 2.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists
Bossing without Tratter, Panopio
The Bossing still had rookie Dalph Panopio and Abu Tratter around when they absorbed a 103-85 loss to Barangay Ginebra right on the eve of their departure for the SEA Games.
The two did well for Blackwater, with Panopio finishing with a team-high 22 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point line and had eight rebounds, while Tratter added 12 and seven boards.
Still the numbers were not enough from preventing the Bossing from absorbing their eight straight loss for a 1-8 record, and dashed their hopes of making the quarterfinals.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
