Game on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs TNT (finals Game 2)
TNT leads series, 1-0
HOWEVER they felt about the wild, wild ending of Game 1, it’s on to the next for both TNT and San Miguel Beermen (SMB).
The protagonists completely understand how pivotal the second salvo in this race-to-four duel for the PBA Philippine Cup jewel is going to be, determining whether it’s 2-0 or 1-1, and they’re hell-bent on meeting their respective agendas by day’s end.
The Tropang 5G, on the prowl for the last piece to a rare grand slam in Season 49, want to establish as much distance from SMB after their 99-96 squeaker in Sunday’s opener, given the injury issues of key players.
“We’re trying to make due managing minutes of so many players,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said, in particular citing RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams, who are still not 100% despite returning to active duty last game and playing major roles.
“We knew that if it’s getting close in the end, we’re going to be at a huge disadvantage because of the depth of San Miguel. So let’s just rely on each other, hang on as much as we can, and find a way to win in the endgame,” he added.
Angry at the “offensive basket interference” call they received in the last 56 seconds of the finals kickoff, the Beermen are going for blood in the 7:30 p.m. second gig at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We’re disappointed because we came back from 24 points down and our effort was put into waste,” said SMB mentor Leo Austria, who intends to use this bitter experience as “added motivation” for his wards in their strike-back attempt.
To get a better chance at going two-nil, Mr. Reyes tasked his troops to do a better job of handling the basketball, noting how the TNT turnovers allowed SMB to mount a fiery fightback and nearly steal Game 1.
“They got 22 points off turnovers from us. Can you imagine if we just had cut that in half,” said Mr. Reyes, whose team turned the ball over 15 times in the game, committing six of them in the payoff period.
“That’s what we have to address — our turnovers. Because they still have a lot of legs and wind to still put pressure even until the fourth quarter. And because of all the injuries that we’re trying to manage.”
Notes: Rain or Shine signed free agent Stanley Pringle to a two-year deal on Tuesday, injecting experience to its youth-laden crew that has reached the semifinals of the last four conferences but failed to crack the finals each time. “With his talent and championship experience, he will be a valuable addition to the team as we chase greater heights in Season 50,” the Elasto Painters said of Mr. Pringle, a four-time champion who last played for Terrafirma. — Olmin Leyba