#PBA2015 GOVS CUP PREVIEW: MERALCO BOLTS vs TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS – SIBLING RIVALRY

It’s a well-known fact to any PBA fan that MER and TNT are sister teams. Despite this, these teams have tasted very different levels of success in the pros. TNT, of course, has been much more successful, with the 2015 Commish Cup win the latest feather in the Texters’ cap. MER, meanwhile, has always been mired among the middling teams of the league. At times, the Bolts show a lot of promise, but more often than not, they just cannot get over the hump.

At this moment in the Govs Cup, these two sibling teams with contrasting histories are on a collision course with important ramifications. Both squads are stuck in the middle of the pack — TNT is tied for fifth at 3-2, while the Bolts are right behind them at 3-3. Clearly, whoever wins this match gets to move up even further in the standings and, more importantly, gain some momentum heading into the last handful of games in the elims.

Previous results:

PHL Cup

TNT beat MER, 80-72

COMM Cup

MER beat TNT, 91-83

1. THE EMMETT EFFECT

Import Andre Emmett struggled with his shot in MER’s last game. He made only 5 of his 18 field goals en route to a conference-low 17 points. That was a shocker, of course, as he hasn’t scored under 31 points in each of his previous games. Still, despite that, MER was able to pull out a win against BLA. Emmett, however, cannot afford to have another cold spell, or his effect on this game against TNT will be in the negative.

Stats: 33.7ppg, 11.5rpg, 4.2apg, 2.3spg, 1.8 triples per game, 45.0 FG%

Last game: 17pts, 12rebs, 2asts, 1 triple, 27.8 FG%

2. GARY GETS IT DONE

One guy who got it done for MER was Gary David. El Granada did well as the Bolts beat the Elite, scoring 16 points off the bench while also handing out 5 assists. That was only the second time this conference that David scored in double-digits. In this particular game, MER will need the same kind of production if the Bolts are to really secure an important victory.

Stats: 9.8ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0 triple per game, 40.4 FG%

Last game: 16pts, 2rebs, 5asts, 1stl, 2 tripes, 40.0 FG%

3. SEIYA THE SAMURAI

In contrast to David, one guy who has been quite consistent for the Bolts has been Japanese import Seiya Ando. Ando has struggled in his last two games shooting from rainbow country, but he has found different ways to do damage. If he can rediscover his sublime outside shooting while also try to defend against TNT’s deep wingmen, then maybe Seiya the Samurai will continue to impress in the PBA.

Stats: 12.3ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, 1.3 triples per game, 42.9 FG%

Last game: 12pts, 4rebs, 1ast, 0 threes, 50.0 FG%

4. SUPER SWINGMEN

Not to be outdone, however, are MER’s super swingmen. In that game against BLA, veterans Jared Dillinger and Sean Anthony came up big. Dillinger came off the bench to score a dozen points and grab 8 rebounds. He shot 50% from the field. Anthony, meanwhile, started the game and provided very solid contributions. The Fil-Canadian scored 10 markers, pulled down 6 boards, and did a lot of other things as MER was able to beat BLA. If those two can also play solid ball against TNT here, the Texters may just be in real trouble.

Stats:

Dillinger – 7.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 50.0 FG%

Anthony – 4.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.5apg, 31.0 FG%

Last game:

Dillinger – 12pts, 8rebs, 1ast, 5/10 FGs

Anthony – 10pts, 6rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 5/7 FGs

5. HINDI PETIKS SI PETTIGREW

Steffphon Pettigrew has been quite an impressive import for TNT so far. He has been a regular double-double machine, though he will need to cut down on his turnovers. In his last game, he put up a season-high 35 points while also grabbing 14 rebounds, but even that wasn’t enough for the Texters to survive against the hot-shooting Batang Pier. Against the Bolts, Pettigrew will have his hands full against Andre Emmett, so he will need to be at his best again.

Stats: 28.8ppg, 12.4rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0 triple per game, 3.0 TOs per game, 41.7 3pt%, 60.2 FG%

Last game: 35pts, 14rebs, 1ast, 7 TOs, 11/18 FGs

6. CAN’T STOP CASTRO

Another guy who could hardly be stopped in his last game was Jayson Castro, who put up 34 points in just his second game this conference. Castro was hitting shots from everywhere against GLO, and he had an entertaining duel with rookie sensation Stanley Pringle, but the fact is, despite Castro’s great numbers, TNT still lost. The Gilas point guard will surely want to bounce back and redeem himself, which means MER may be in for a long night.

Last game: 34pts, 4rebs, 3asts, 2stls, 4 triples, 55.0 FG%

7. DAGHLES LIGHTS IT UP

Another Texter who impressed was Jordanian import Sam Daghles, who maybe had his best game yet against GLO. Daghles, who was born in Amman, Jordan (NOT in China as some sources have published) and grew up in the States, tallied 19 points on the strength of 4 triples while also collaring 7 boards and handing out 3 dimes. If he can approximate that level of production again here, TNT should have a huge advantage against MER, which doesn’t really have any top-level PGs.

Stats: 12.0ppg, 6.6rpg, 6.0apg, 1.6 triples per game, 38.1 3pt%, 35.0 FG%

Last game: 19pts, 7rebs, 3asts, 1stl, 4 triples, 50.0 FG%

8. TEXTERS’ TURNOVERS

One thing TNT will need to really do better, though is taking care of the basketball. Turnovers killed them against GLO, who forced TNT to commit 18 errors and scored 28 points off those mistakes. That’s something TNT cannot afford to do again here against MER, who will not hesitate to make the Texters pay for their miscues. Guys like Pettigrew, Castro, and Daghles — the primary ball handlers for TNT — should do a better job of taking care of the basketball.

Last game Turnovers: TNT 18, GLO 14

Last game Pts off TOs: TNT 12, GLO 28

Pettigrew – 7 TOs

Castro – 4 TOs

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