Chris Ross
Game 4 could virtually decide the outcome of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals in San Miguel Beer’s favor, unless TNT’s does something dramatic to turn things around and level the series at 2-2 amid injuries and its ballhandling woes.
“We just take it as it is. We have to find a way,” Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said going into Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. encounter at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Since winning the series opener marred by a Mo Tautuaa dunk that was nullified due to a basket interference in controversial fashion, TNT has been forced to play catch-up against a San Miguel team thriving with a number of players stepping up.
That is what the Tropang 5G had been forced to deal with since dropping Games 2 and 3, even as injuries continue to pile up with Poy Erram doubtful to play for the second straight game due to his twisted right ankle.
Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading and Kelly Williams have been playing through ailments they started to endure early in the conference. And unless it can display the grit that has been the trademark of its run toward a potential Grand Slam, TNT could be in a world of trouble.
“I just told our players to keep fighting there,” said Reyes. “It was too much to ask for us to win against a super-powerful team like San Miguel if we’re complete. What now that we’re shorthanded.
“But we’re gonna keep fighting,” Reyes vowed.
TNT will look to solve its turnover woes that have contributed greatly in the two losses, some of which came in untimely situations.
The Tropang 5G committed an average of 17.5 turnovers in the last two games, 18 last Friday when the Beermen prevailed 108-88.
Playmaking duties have been shared by Heading, Simon Enciso and Brian Heruela for the past weeks, with unquestioned leader Jayson Castro out since last conference and Rey Nambatac not on the playoff roster after dealing with a groin injury in the eliminations.
“We don’t have our top two point guards, so that’s a direct reflection of that,” said Reyes. “In fact, we lost our top three point guards because we had [import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson] playing the point [in previous tournaments].”
That being said, Reyes and TNT wouldn’t want to sulk on those woes, with the opportunity to regain their bearings in the Finals still intact.
It would be interesting to see if the Tropang 5G can make significant adjustments to how the Beermen have been efficient outside of June Mar Fajardo, with Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Mo Tautuaa and Jeron Teng stepping up.
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The surprise contribution of third-stringer Almond Vosotros in Game 3 could give TNT a fresh option to turn things its way, other than the need for the Tropang 5G core to come through in the game that would make or break their Grand Slam dreams. INQ
