‘Slam’-seeking Tropang 5G get winning streak going after destroying despicable Dyip
Coach Chot Reyes couldn’t say at this point if Friday’s whopping win over a beleaguered Terrafirma side will eventually serve as a good sign that TNT is slowly getting its form back.
“It’s too early to tell,” Reyes said after the Tropang 5G’s 110-74 pummeling of the lowly Dyip in the PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. “We have to play a lot tougher games.”
What he’s sure, though, is that the blowout has given his wards some sense of confidence going into a massive showdown against defending champion Meralco, which at press time was also hoping to get a win before the intriguing faceoff.
The Tropang 5G and Bolts will meet Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We know how hard they play, we know how strong they are in the rebounding department so our rebounding is going to be tested,” Reyes said. “We have to make sure we match their inside prowess.”
TNT has now won two in a row after starting the conference with three straight defeats, making doubters feel that its odds of completing a rare Grand Slam are dim.
The Tropang 5G led by a high of 46, allowing Reyes to give ample rest to his main players which may bode well heading into their match against the Bolts.
Meralco took on NorthPort in Friday’s nightcap, aiming to finally snap a three-game skid and go into the TNT clash with high morale.
“We wanted to use this [game against Terrafirma] as a jump-off point for Sunday, a preparatory for Sunday,” said Reyes.
Calvin Oftana dropped 22 points after opening the contest with two threes for a 15-4 lead. He ended the game hitting four triples.
Poy Erram added 19 and Rey Nambatac put up 12 points as TNT also put some measure of revenge on Terrafirma after losing in their two previous meetings.
It was Terrafirma’s fifth straight loss. In those Dyip setbacks, the total gap was 150 points or an average of 30 per loss.
The uncertainty surrounding the potential sale of the Terrafirma franchise, first was a failed deal with Starhorse and the ongoing negotiation with the Zamboanga Valientes, obviously has a huge effect on the team’s morale.
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