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Blackwater gets its mettled tested by TNT KaTropa

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AFTER Blackwater opened up the season with two wins in as many outings other teams are now taking notice.

Foremost among those now taking the erstwhile perennial cellar-dwelling Elite seriously are the TNT KaTropa Texters, who take their turn testing the league’s biggest surprise thus far in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Another victory by Blackwater would break it off from its current leadership tie with Rain or Shine and stretch the Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise’s best-ever start.

“We will do our very best to ride on our win-streak and get another win tomorrow versus TNT,” said Elite coach Leo Isaac.

For their part, the Texters are looking for a second straight win that would tie them with their victim, but coach Nash Racela said it won’t be easy.

“Blackwater is a different team now with a new set of players and a new attitude,” noted Racela, all freed up from Far Eastern U to formally assume the helm at TNT after letting chief assistant Josh Reyes call the shots in the Texters’ first two games.

“We will try to cover their best players, especially Mac Belo, who has been the game-changer for them.”

Indeed, Belo has been a gem of a find among the Gilas Cadets taken in a special draft by the Elite, leading the team both in points (21) and rebounds (7.50).

Veteran Denok Miranda has also been a crucial factor for Blackwater with averages of 11 points and a teamhigh 6.5 assists while also accounting for the game-winner in the team’s 86-84 squeaker over Meralco last Sunday.

In order to have more options, Blackwater is also activating Ronald Pascual starting in today’s game in
lieu of Jason Melano.

TNT is set to unleash a more potent weapon in Jayson Castro, however.

Sidelined in the first two games to extend his much-needed rest to a full two months, Castro is all pumped up to finally see action and lead the Texters to a follow up on their come-from-behind 108-103 win over Barangay Ginebra also last Sunday.

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