MAGNOLIA is out to put a quick end to TNT’s grand slam bid as both squads collide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Hotshots enter the opening round of the playoffs as the third seed, and will only need to win once against the sixth-seeded Tropang 5G to advance to the semifinals.
In the opening game at 5 p.m., NLEX, the No. 2 seed, also looks to deal the quick knockout against the seventh seed Rain or Shine in their own quarterfinal pairing.
Magnolia is fresh from an 88-83 win against TNT just last week during the tail-end of the elimination round.
And in order not to give the Tropang 5G any fighting chance, the Hotshots will have to play with a sense of urgency on the defensive end to ensure they don’t get dragged to a winner-take-all contest.
TNT’s JP Erram (right). PBA PHOTO
But judging from the two teams’ respective rosters, Magnolia has the manpower to deal the death blow to TNT’s “triple crown” bid this season.
Veterans Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Rome dela Rosa, along with sophomore big man Zavier Lucero, are all out in their bid to carry the Hotshots, a franchise that’s eager to end its seven-year title drought.
Magnolia, in fact, only got stronger with the acquisition of young forward William Navarro in a trade late last May in exchange for Calvin Abueva and Jerrick Balanza, whom the team sent to NorthPort.
The 6-foot-7 Navarro is a no nonsense wingman who can score inside and out, can crash the boards and play hard-nosed defense as well.
The Hotshots will also be dealing with a Tropang 5G side, which has been hit by injuries in recent months, starting with Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac to injuries and gunner Calvin Oftana, who is reportedly suffering from an ankle sprain.
TNT added veteran guard Almond Vosotros recently, while Filipino American big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser has been reactivated since recovering from a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in his knee.
Meanwhile, NLEX coach Jong Uichico admitted that Rain or Shine has the upper hand in the playoffs given the latter’s playoff experience.
The Elasto Painters have reached the semifinals the last three conferences since veteran mentor Yeng Guiao returned to the franchise after spending the past six seasons coaching the Road Warriors.
