BY JONAS TERRADO
Game Today
(USEP Gym, Davao City)
5 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs Magnolia
TNT KaTropa tries to once again secure the twice-to-beat advantage when it battles Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
The KaTropa, toting a 7-2 record, are also seeking to snap a two-game skid and gain the much-needed bonus against the defending champion Hotshots in the Petron Saturday Special match set at 5 p.m.
Star rookie Ray Parks Jr. will try to give TNT a win for the first time since his trade from Blackwater.
Parks’ debut last week ended with a 96-93 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Parks had 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting with two rebounds and two assists.
Import KJ McDaniels, who is averaging 36.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.6 blocks, is also expected to play a key role in ending TNT’s slide.
Magnolia is determined to regain its bearings after a heartbreaking 86-85 loss to NLEX last Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Hotshots led by 22 points then saw the Road Warriors orchestrate a stunning comeback that ended on Jericho Cruz’s last-gasp basket.
Paul Lee would have been the hero had Magnolia came out victorious after hitting the go-ahead baskets in the final minute.
Lee had 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting while adding seven rebounds and five assists against NLEX.
Magnolia is assured of a quarterfinals berth with an even 5-5 record but would like to finish the elims on a winning note in order to gain some momentum heading into the quarterfinals.
It will also give the Hotshots the No. 6 seed and a quarterfinal meeting with the third-ranked team.
