GETTING BACK ON TRACK
TALK N Text and Meralco have had their recent disappointments.
Which team can get back on track the quickest would be known Wednesday in their PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup collision at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters are looking to put behind them their numbing loss in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals and one way to do that would be to open up their campaign in the season-ending tourney on a bright note.
“After only a six-day break since the last conference the goal is to get back on track as quickly as possible and continue winning games. That’s the best way to move on from our loss in the Finals,” said TNT coach Norman Black.
Meralco was of the same mind-set after blowing a win-once lead over Rain or Shine in their Comm’s Cup quarterfinals duel, but got its frustrations compounded by a 94-95 upset loss to Barako Bull in the conference opener last Sunday.
For both teams to get over the hump, their respective imports should play crucial roles.
Terrence Williams notched 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in his Bolts debut but shot only 7-for-28 from the field, including 4-for-20 from beyond the arc, and gave up a foul that led to Energy counterpart Eric Wise’s game-winning charity.
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio would not specifically single out the No. 11 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, however, noting how his team as a whole launched a total 42 three-point shots and wound up making only 34 of 90 field goal attempts.
“We have to be more intelligent with our approach to the game. I thought we did a good job of bouncing back from a 21-point deficit and we even erected a sizable lead. But our decision-making in the end hastened our downfall,” said Gregorio.
“The positive takeaways in our game against Barako is that we lost by only one point despite our horrible shot selection. We took so many shots from the 3 and missed 28 attempts. We have to adjust our game, go nearer the basket on a higher percentage shot,” he added.
Aside from how Williams will fare this time around, TNT import Othyus Jeffers is also going to be under close scrutiny.
The reigning NBA D-League co-MVP, who has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs, is known to be a good scorer and a tenacious rebounder. How well he has gelled with his Texters teammates is Black’s main concern.
“The key will be how fast we can get our import to blend with the locals,” sad Black. “A lot of it will play out in the game with Meralco because Jeffers has only had four full practices with the team.”
A TNT team that already boasts of Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Williams is a difficult task enough for Gregorio.
“Talk N Text is always a tough team to beat. They are also reinforced by a solid import. Big test for us,” said Gregorio, who is also banking most on Gary David, Cliff Hodge and Jared Dillinger.
“Our goal is to bounce back strong, regardless of who we go up against.” (NC)
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