By REYNALDO MAGALLON
It’s a rematch of the last conference’s semifinalist as TNT and Rain or Shine stake their respective win streaks when they figure in a marquee collision in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Wednesday, May 21.
With their key players coming back in full health, the Elasto Painters have notch back-to-back victories, including one against the erstwhile undefeated Magnolia Hotshots just last Sunday, May
18.
And that streak is what Rain or Shine hopes to sustain against TNT which on the other hand is also riding the crest of a three-game winning run ahead of their clash at 7:30 p.m.
Setting the table for their match is the duel between struggling teams, Meralco and Blackwater, looking to regain their footing at the 5 p.m. first offering.
ROS head coach Yeng Guiao cannot deny that his team’s victory over Magnolia is a huge morale-booster heading into the game against TNT – the same team that eliminated the Elasto Painters 4-1 in the semis of the last conference.
“Natural yon (confidence boost), normal naman iyon n sa kahit anong klaseng panalo tataas yuung kumpiyansa mo lalo na kung tataluninn mo yung leading team,” said Guiao.
He added that inching closer to their goal of at least six wins in the eliminations is also a motivation against the Tropang 5G.
“It’s also something na hinhabol pa namin yung six wins para makasiguro ka sa quarterfinals and we are in 4-2 and dalawang panalo na lang para makap[unta kami sa six wins,” he added.
Expected to lead the charge once more for ROS are guys like Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac, Leonard Santillan and Keith Datu.
On the part of TNT, RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana are expected to carry much of the load especially with last conference’s Finals MVP Rey Nambatac expected to miss the game due to a groin injury.
The Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes admitted it was a huge blow to the team to miss the services of Nambatac especially with Jayson Castro still recovering from a knee injury.
“Rey is a huge part of our team, he does so many things for us. (His sidelining) is another challenge for us moving forward,” said Reyes of the 6-foot-1 guard who is tipped to be out for four to six weeks.
Needing to step up to man the point for TNT is Brian Heruela and Simon Enciso while guys like Glenn Khobuntin, Kim Aurin might also get a boost in usage in Nambatac’s absence.
