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TNT carved out one more victory within the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations, extending the longest profitable streak to 5 video games because the Tropang Giga remained on prime of the heap.
However an harm to certainly one of its key gamers may pose as a giant concern heading into a giant conflict with heavyweight San Miguel Beer as RR Pogoy twisted an ankle within the second quarter of a 111-104 win over Meralco Friday at Good Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa, although, sounded removed from anxious and is definitely trying ahead to the problem of making an attempt to cut down the Beermen on Sunday.
“I’m trying ahead to it,” Lastimosa stated of a San Miguel aspect that performed Barangay Ginebra within the nightcap. “I feel it’s gonna be a giant problem, figuring out San Miguel, which can be enjoying effectively.
“We’re simply gonna be prepared and I feel the blokes are prepared,” he added.
His Tropang Giga was greater than prepared for the Bolts, whom they led by as massive as 22 factors as TNT jacked up its document to 7-1 whereas dealing Meralco its third loss in six video games.
Mikey Williams tallied 25 factors on the day he was chosen by followers to play in subsequent month’s All-Star Sport in Passi Metropolis, Iloilo.
Nice RHJ effort
Calvin Oftana, additionally a first-time All-Star, produced effectively to backstop import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who had one other robust sport with 34 factors, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals.
“I feel we nonetheless have sufficient forces left on my bench,” Lastimosa stated after accidents to Pogoy and Jayson Castro, who additionally sprained his ankle however returned to finally end with 16 factors.
“Nicely, these guys know easy methods to grind it out, coming off back-to-back video games. Fortunately, the blokes had been prepared.”
TNT performs San Miguel on Sunday at Philsports Area in Pasig Metropolis, with Pogoy’s standing an essential query mark earlier than the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers the place he’s a part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the house video games towards Lebanon and Jordan.
Pogoy is taken into account as a shoo-in for a Gilas spot, however Lastimosa believes he can play towards the Beermen after which reply the decision of nationwide responsibility subsequent week.
“It’s not that unhealthy that he was capable of come again and I’m hoping that it’s not extreme,” Lastimosa stated.
Meralco misplaced for the second straight sport and the Bolts at the moment are tied with streaking Magnolia at sixth spot.
KJ McDaniels’ 26 factors and 15 rebounds couldn’t raise the Bolts, who narrowed the hole to single digits within the dying seconds.
Eight kings
Barangay Ginebra’s reputation weighed closely over gamers excelling all through the forty seventh season after eight Gin Kings had been voted by followers to see motion within the All-Star Sport.
Whereas Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson, who shall be liable for forming their respective groups as the highest two vote-getters, Jamie Malonzo, Christian Standhardinger, LA Tenorio and even Stanley Pringle had been anticipated inclusions, two Ginebra gamers surprisingly acquired nods from followers who took half within the voting course of.
Rookie reserve Jeremiah Grey and defensive lynchpin Nards Pinto acquired themselves into the highest 24 after the balloting ended final Feb. 15.
Coach Tim Cone will name the photographs for one of many groups within the All-Star contest on March 12 after topping the tally. He’ll be challenged by Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao, who was second.
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