TNT and Meralco gun for their second straight win when they go up against separate opponents on Saturday in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga are set to face Rain or Shine at 6:45 p.m., after the Bolts battle Converge at 4:30 p.m.
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TNT and Meralco are coming off wins after a slow start to their campaign this conference with the Tropang Giga beating NorthPort, 117-93, last week to improve to 1-1, and the Bolts defeating Terrafirma, 105-92, for a 1-2 win-loss slate.
TNT will also play following news of Jayson Castro signing a three-year extension with the Tropang Giga that will enable him to suit up for the ballclub until 2025.
Castro could be in line for a comeback from an ankle sprain that he sustained during the Philippine Cup finals.
“Jayson, we knew he is going to sit the first two games. There’s a chance he comes in on game three but it’s really day-to-day. Depends on how he feels. There are some days he can join us in some light drills,” said Reyes.
Meralco hopes to even its record after the beginning the conference saw two straight defeats with the Bolts still reeling from the absence of Chris Newsome due to a calf injury.
It is still unclear whether head coach Norman Black will take over on Saturday after he was placed under health and safety protocols. Assistant coach Luigi Trillo stood in for Black during the win over Terrafirma.
Rain or Shine battles TNT with the goal of bouncing back from its 113-105 win over San Miguel last Sunday.
Converge, on the other hand, is on a slump, losing two games including a 106-100 defeat against the Bay Area Dragons two Fridays ago.
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