OLD semifinal rivals meet on Saturday in Cagayan de Oro in a PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup out-of-town game. TNT and Rain or Shine square off for the first time since the Tropang 5G ousted the Elasto Painters, 97-89, last July 6 of the Philippine Cup semifinals.
Getting you ready for the lone game of the day in this preview.
RAIN OR SHINE VS. TNT
When: Saturday, November 15. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Aquilino Q. Pimintel Jr. International Convention Center, Cagayan de Oro
Shooting for solo lead
TNT and Rain or Shine battle in Cagayan de Oro in a massive match-up with placing implications with the winner taking first place. TNT is currently in solo first place with a 5-1 win-loss record, with Rain or Shine in joint second along with Magnolia, San Miguel, Converge, and NLEX. The Tropang 5G beat Terrafirma in overtime, 109-95, last November 7, while the Elasto Painters were defeated by NLEX, 105-91, last November 8.
Rekindling playoff rivalry
TNT and Rain or Shine were familiar foes last season when they went up against each other in all three semifinal series. Expect a playoff atmosphere between both teams in Cagayan de Oro City.
Off-form Tropa in previous outing
Surprisingly, TNT had to earn the victory against Terrafirma, needing overtime to snatch the win out after trailing by as many as 16 points. TNT coach Chot Reyes was unsatisfied with the win with the lack of urgency on their part. With TNT facing a playoff rival in Rain or Shine, expect a different effort from the Tropang 5G.
READ: Chot admits TNT never learns, keeps taking Terrafirma for granted
Manaytay added to ROS roster
Christian Manaytay has been activated by Rain or Shine after the 10th pick in the Season 50 Draft was signed to a two-year deal recently. Manaytay took the roster spot of Keith Datu after he ruptured his patellar tendon in his right knee to keep him out for a year. But with Manaytay at 6-foot-5, Rain or Shine will remain undersized in the frontcourt.
READ: Rain or Shine signs Christian Manaytay to two-year rookie deal
Critical point for ROS?
Following Keith Datu’s injury that force him to miss the entire season, Rain or Shine’s game against TNT could be critical point of the conference for the Elasto Painters. ROS looks to avoid a two-game losing streak against TNT, crucial to its campaign as the Elasto Painters still have playoff contenders Converge, Magnolia, and Barangay Ginebra in its schedule.
Five CDO natives for TNT
The game in Cagayan de Oro bare significance to four players of TNT with Jio Jalalon, Poy Erram, Rey Nambatac, and Glenn Khobuntin in their hometown. If you add TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa, there are five persons who trace their origin in Cagayan de Oro.
Jalalon plays his first game in Cagayan de Oro for the TNT team where he is having a resurgence. Jalalon recently had 12 rebounds and eight assists in the TNT’s overtime over Terrafirma.
Erram, meanwhile, could be making his season debut in CDO after being activated in the roster. Erram had an ACL injury during the 49th Season Philippine Cup finals against San Miguel, but it wasn’t a full tear, allowing him to recover faster than usual.
READ: Poy Erram reactivated by TNT as ACL injury fears allayed
With the multiple players from CDO, the out-of-town game could serve as a home match of sorts for the Tropang 5G.
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