TNT makes final push for no. 2
PBA IMAGES
TNT KaTropa makes its final push in the fight for No. 2 spot as it tangles with pacesetter San Miguel Beer in their closing game in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Saturday.
As the breakaway top-notchers in the elims, the Beermen are now merely warming up for the quarterfinals where they enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage versus the No. 8 team.
The Texters have also clinched a berth in the quarterfinals but are still in a must-win situation in chase of the “win-once” privilege in the Final Eight.
TNT guns for a third straight win and a 7-4 closing mark in the elims in taking on SMB at 5:15 p.m.
Coach Nash Racela said they will do the best they can in dealing with things in their control.
Things not in their hands are the final games of Alaska Milk, Rain or Shine and Star – teams that the Texters may end up tied with.
In case of a tie with the Elasto Painters and the Hotshots, the Texters will settle for a lower seeding because of an inferior quotient. TNT dropped its games to both ROS and Star.
But Racela insists they will just be focused in trying to upend June Mar Fajardo and his SMB teammates.
San Miguel has been a super dominant team in the elims, carrying a strong 9-1 record going into its last game in the elims.
After splitting its first two games, the Beermen strung up eight straight wins over Alaska, Mahindra, NLEX, Meralco, Blackwater, Ginebra, Rain or Shine and GlobalPort.
And they’re raring to keep their winning momentum going into the playoffs.
They suffered their lone defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 85-92.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
