NLEX is preparing for a TNT team that will show no signs of rust as it begins its Grand Slam bid in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Already with two games in the bag, the Road Warriors will look to claim their second straight victory on Wednesday, but it will be up against the Tropang 5G, in their first game since winning the Commissioner’s Cup last March 28.
NLEX is coming off a 109-95 win over Rain or Shine last Saturday in a game where the Road Warriors played against the Elasto Painters team that also debuted for the conference.
READ: How will exclusive TNT contract impact RHJ commitment to Jordan?
Their match-up is on Wednesday, 5 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum where NLEX will look for the same story during TNT’s first game.
But NLEX coach Jong Uichico expects TNT to stay in its usual form from the get-go that led to the Commissioner’s Cup title even though they are already nearly one month removed from that series against Barangay Ginebra.
Uichico knows where he is coming from, being a nine-time PBA champion, one of which with TNT.
“When a team is a well-oiled machine, kasi na-experience ko rin ‘yun na kung alam na nila ginagawa nila, they don’t need a lot of practice time kasi nandiyan na ‘yan eh. It’s hard to say na we would take advantage of our long lay-off,” said Uichico.
“Gusto ko nga, wag na sila mag-practice, magkita na lang sila sa laro, puwede rin,” he added in jest.
READ: Jolas says 'hard worker' Simon Enciso will be vital for TNT
TNT though had practiced before the Philippine Cup, even conducting a training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy for a few days.
“TNT is TNT,” Uichico added. “Nandiyan na ‘yan. Alam nila, magkakakilala na sila. All they have to do is practice a little bit, get their rhythm, be in shape, and then they can play. I’ve been also in that situation na maski after ng championship, konting practice lang, magkakakilala na sila. Hindi naman nagbabago ang laro. Nandiyan pa rin ‘yung laro.”
“Mahirap sabihin na we can take advantage of their long layoff kasi kakapanalo lang nila ng championship,” said Uichico.
TNT will be displaying its roster that was tweaked after the signing of Simon Enciso from free agency.
NLEX hopes for the same result as in the Rain or Shine match-up where Xyrus Torres hit 28 points on 11 of 12 shooting from the field.
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.
