LOFTY EXPECTATIONS
JEROME Jordan is one puzzle Talk N Text coach Norman Black is as concerned with as Petron Blaze.
“I’ll just have to try to get the best out of him,” said Black of the 7-foot Jamaican who performed far below expectations in his first playoff game for the Tropang Texters.
“But we’ll talk to him, try to push the right buttons to get him to play well in this series,” added Black.
Jordan should since TNT needs him to show more of his stuff to realize another win against Petron Blaze Sunday in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite the former New York Knick tallying only 11 points and five rebounds and the Texters getting walloped off the boards, they still managed to fashion out a 100-93 victory in the best-of-three opener last Friday.
Like what they did in Game One, Ranidel de Ocampo and Ryan Reyes, as well as relievers Larry Fonacier, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Ali Peek, are expected to lead TNT’s bid for a quick wrap to the series and realize a ninth straight semifinals appearance.
Petron is expected to make its adjustments and, like what TNT did two days ago, maybe even unveil some surprises to at least extend the series to a decider.
Momentum, however, is clearly on TNT’s side.
“Normally in this type of series the first game is very important because if you win it then it builds up your confidence to go for the second win and that puts the pressure on the other team,” pointed out Black.
Yet Jordan’s recent performance still gnaws at Black.
“Five rebounds, that’s not very good,” noted Black while scanning the Game One stats sheet.
“Luckily, the locals stepped up and played well in this game,” he added, ” but Jerome has to play a lot better if we expect to go any further in this tournament. We can’t expect the locals to carry us every night.”
Some new plays also helped the Texters in a game that had 12 deadlocks and 14 lead changes, plus some clutch baskets that sparked and stoked their decisive fourth quarter surge from a 72-71 count.
Henry Sims finished with 22 points and 21 rebounds and Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo and Ronald Tubid also wound up with at least 11 points each. But the likes of Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot were of little help, particularly in the stretch.
As a result, the Boosters failed to follow up on their 87-76 victory over the Texters in the eliminations-ending match just last Wednesday and are now on the verge of dropping their third best-of-three series in four stints.
Petron won the two recent rebounding battles, 62-43 last Wednesday and 52-39 last Friday. If it could cash in more on such dominance off the glass then part of its worries is solved.
And that’s one thing that should not concern Black if Jordan performs as expected. “The problem still has to be solved. We got killed in rebounding the last game and we got killed again tonight,” he stated.
“It’s something we have to talk about. It should be remedied by my import. Hopefully he can step up and get it done.” (NC)
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