#PBA2015 PREVIEW: NLEX ROAD WARRIORS vs TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS – OPPOSITE SIDES
Right now, these two teams are at opposite ends of the spectrum in the PBA. At 1-3, NLEX is one of the teams bringing up the rear, while TNT, at 4-1, is one of the teams near the top of the heap.
NLEX gained some ground with a breakthrough win over Blackwater in its previous game, and they will definitely want to build on that as they try to stay alive for a berth in the next round.
TNT, meanwhile, wants to continue gaining momentum, especially after it barely scraped by Ginebra in its last match. With new import Ivan Johnson in tow, the Texters are hoping to continue being one of the conference’s title contenders.
Here are some things to look at in this match:
- THORNTON AT FULL THROTTLE
NLEX import Al Thornton was at his very best in the Road Warriors’ previous game, doing practically everything as they drove home their first win. He was unstoppable in that game, and if he can play just as well here, then NLEX has a good chance of beating its sister team.
Comm. Cup stats: 29.3ppg, 11.8rpg, 48.1 FG%
vs BLA: 39pts, 15rebs, 1ast, 1blk, 14/20 FGs
- CARDONA SHOWS UP
Former DLSU Green Archer Mac Cardona has been struggling this conference, but he also stepped up in NLEX’s last game. He didn’t score in double-figures, but he found other ways to contribute. He was able to grab a lot of rebounds and defend pretty well as the Road Warriors beat Blackwater. If Capt. Hook can continue doing the intangibles for his team, NLEX may have a shot at an upset.
Comm. Cup stats: 6.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0spg, 34.4 FG%
Vs BLA: 7pts, 11rebs, 1stl, 60.0 FG%
- BENCH MOB
One big reason NLEX did so well in dispatching of Blackwater was the fact its bench did really well offensively. Five bench players scored 8 or more points against the Elite. If they can be as productive in this game, the Road Warriors should be very effective.
Borgie Hermida – 8pts
KG Canaleta, Rudy Lingganay, Jonas Villanueva, Enrico Villanueva – 9pts each
- RAMOS vs RDO
One match-up to watch here is between stretch forwards Aldrech Ramos and Ranidel De Ocampo. Both are power forwards who can shoot from long range. Ramos, however, has been struggling a bit with his consistency, while RDO is coming off a great game against Ginebra. Whoever wins this match-up should give his team a huge boost.
Ramos stats: 6.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 40.7 FG%, 0.8 triples per game
Ramos last game: 4pts, 3rebs, 2/6 FGs, 0 triples
RDO stats: 12.0ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.6 triples per game, 60.0 FG%
RDO last game: 17pts, 5rebs, 3 triples, 60.0 FG%
- IMPORT WATCH: IVAN JOHNSON
It came as a surprise to many, but former Best Import Richard Howell is no longer a Texter. This was a shocker mainly because TNT has been doing so well, but now they’ll have to make do with new reinforcement Ivan Johnson. Johnson brings with him an impressive resume, but he also owns the ignominy of being banned for life from the KBL.
Johnson’s latest NBA D-League stats (Texas Legends): 9.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.4spg.
*NBA D-League First Team in 2011
- JAYSON PUTS ON THE JETS
One guy TNT can really rely on is Gilas Pilipinas main man Jayson Castro. Castro lit things up big time in TNT’s previous game, even coming up with the big defensive play in the endgame to seal the win. If he continues to put up really great numbers, TNT shouldn’t have much trouble against NLEX.
Comm. Cup stats: 20.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.0apg, 60.0 FG%
vs GIN: 31pts, 6rebs, 9asts, 3stls, 54.5 FG%
- ALL-STAR SNUB?
The PBA All-Star rosters have been recently released and one name that some people feel should have been included is Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. Rosser has been awesome for the Texters this season, so some people feel he is one pretty big All-Star snub. Perhaps he’ll show in this game why he should be reconsidered?
Last 2 games stats: 15.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.0bpg, 60.0 FG%
- SHOOT THE LIGHTS OUT
One thing fans can perhaps expect in this game is for both TNT and NLEX to shoot well. Both teams shot pretty well in their previous games, and if they continue shooting well here, then we should be in for a really entertaining game.
NLEX vs BLA: 54.8 FG% and 44.4 3pt%
TNT vs GIN: 50.6 FG%, 37.9 3pt%
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