While awaiting Jordan, TNT keeps ‘heading’ right direction
Jordan Heading gave no specific timetable as to when he can finally suit up and join TNT’s drive for a historic Grand Slam, even if the Tropang 5G now enter the critical windup to the eliminations where he could be of great help to their quest.
“We’ll see,” Heading said after playing the role of spectator in Friday’s 108-82 blowout of the lowly Blackwater Bossing in the Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
What Heading can assure, though, is that he will try to be a positive influence for a squad that has now won six consecutive games after a 0-3 start, as his relationship with the team slowly gets deeper together with fellow ex-Converge man Mike Nieto and the comebacking Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Heading can provide an opening act to his Tropang 5G if he gives it a go Sunday against Barangay Ginebra at the same venue, a marquee game that is not only the first since the dramatic seven-game showdown for the Commissioner’s Cup title, but also has implications in the twice-to-beat chase.
“I’ll do what I can to hopefully get in game shape as soon as possible, do whatever I can to help them achieve that [Grand Slam] and it’s an exciting prospect and an exciting possibility,” said Heading.
TNT forged a three-way tie with Ginebra and Rain or Shine, which will play San Miguel Beer on Sunday in Cagayan de Oro City, and every game now holds greater importance for these sides.
Magnolia and NLEX were playing at press time with the winner gaining the virtual first quarterfinal bonus.
Coach Chot Reyes seems to now have a good problem at hand, given the additions of Heading and Nieto, who had four points and six rebounds in 12 minutes after being picked up from Converge as an unrestricted free agent, and the possible returns of Henry Galinato and Rey Nambatac.
Despite the good form it has now, Reyes remains cautious.
“It’s guarded optimism, because we’re playing two tough teams,” said Reyes. “We’ve given ourselves a chance, but we all know how difficult our next games are, so we’ll see what happens.”
Simon Enciso scored 11 of his 19 points in the second quarter that saw TNT pull away. It was a performance that showed that the former San Miguel Beer guard can be a key piece in the puzzle when consistent.
Kelly Williams had 15 points and seven rebounds, Calvin Oftana scored 14 while Ganuelas-Rosser, back after a year out because of an ACL injury, added 12 points and five rebounds, numbers that the team will hope to see on a consistent basis.
Ganuelas-Rosser’s return may also hold a crucial part in TNT’s title hopes as he can now ease the big men roles Williams and Poy Erram used to share.
Blackwater fell to 1-8 and will face Terrafirma in a battle of two tailenders that will be Sunday’s appetizer to the TNT-Ginebra duel.
