TNT looks to tighten grip of top spot vs also-ran Star

By Randolph B. Leongson

For a game that has the top team in the league pitted against one of the worst, this one’s got marquee matchup written all over it.

League-leading TNT hopes to solidify its hold of the top spot, while Star is just fighting for pride when the two squads clash Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Katropa have been the league’s pacesetter from the get-go, going 8-1 so far in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.

And they have every reason to feel confident, beating San Miguel, 105-85 last Saturday at Batangas City.

Though coach Jong Uichico has enjoyed the services of Mychal Ammons and Michael Madanly, it has been the locals, led by Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo, who have been doing the damage for TNT.

If all of those click anew, expect another hard time for the Hotshots, who have never gotten their groove this season-ending conference.

Unceremoniously eliminated from the race no thanks to Alaska’ 103-87 win over Phoenix Saturday night, Star (2-7) is hopeful to nab moral victories to end what has been a nightmarish season for the team.

And one guy who is motivated to do just that is reinforcement Joel Wright, who led the Hotshots to a huge 104-103 win over Meralco last Sunday.

Coach Jason Webb seeks to see more improvement from his crew when Star jumps to action at 6:45 p.m.

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