TWO MVP group teams in transition see how far they’ve come under new regimes as TNT Katropa and NLEX face off in a PBA Philippine Cup road game in Angeles City in Pampanga later in the day.
The Road Warriors have yet to find a rhythm, and the poise and maturity that Yeng Guiao is looking for as they share the cellar with Mahindra with five losses in their first six games.
But Guiao tries to start afresh at the turn of the year, still hoping to turn around what a trying conference it has been.
“This (holiday season) was the halftime break for us in terms of the elimination round,” Guiao said. “We’ll see how the second half goes after the long break. Para lang kami magre-reset ulit.”
The Texters, on the hand, have had early success under Nash Racela as they are in the upper echelon of the standings, having a piece of second spot with Rain or Shine with a 4-2 win-loss record.
Racela, though, is hardly satisfied of the early results, putting more focus on the end goal..
“We always look at the big picture and and big picture sa amin ay day-to-day improvements, and if it puts us in the middle or top of the standings, then we’ll accept that,” the champion college coach said. “We focus on the process.”
Now the sister teams take on each other at 5 p.m., hoping to start the New Year on a winning note.
The Texters, as usual, bank on a powerhouse side led by Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Foanacier, and Troy Rosario.
Kevin Alas and Garvo Lanete lead the youth movement at the Road Warriors, while also trying to fit veteran center Asi Taulava into Guiao’s fast-paced system.
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