COACH Luigi Trillo knows his Meralco side has to deal with one big problem when it takes on TNT Sunday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Both the Bolts and the Tropang Giga are looking to break their current tie at 2-1 and move into a share of the second-running spot alongside idle Phoenix Super LPG.
For his team to hit its target and avoid a second straight loss, Luigi stresses the need to come up with ways to contain TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the 3 p.m. match.
"With Jefferson, nakakataas siya ng morale," noted Trillo of the American-born Hollis-Jefferson who became a naturalized player for Jordan after powering the Tropang Giga to the Governors' Cup title last season.
"May piyesa rin kami, pero Hollis-Jefferson changes everything. Parang talagang siya nagpapabuhay sa kanila so kahit wala sila (Mikey) Williams and (Roger) Pogoy, they have enough," added Trillo. "Ang hirap bantayan kasi he plays multiple positions."
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Indeed, the former Brooklyn Net has been showing his fiery form anew for TNT. Since taking over from Quincy Miller, Jefferson got ejected early in the third quarter of a 101-98 thriller over Converge last Nov. 11 but came back with a vengeance and scattered 37 points in only three quarters of a 133-93 romp over Terrafirma last Wednesday.
"To be blunt, nobody can guard Rondae. Even in the (FIBA) World Cup, he was getting his baskets and much more here in the PBA," said TNT team manager-cum-coach Jojo Lastimosa following the Terrafirma game.
"If Rondae had wanted to score 50, he could have scored 50 tonight."
While realizing that stymieing Hollis-Jefferson would be a herculean task, Trillo knows his charges must fine-tune one aspect of their game.
"We should try to be more solid siguro in terms of opensa namin. We can do better with that," said Trillo.
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"Our defense is okay, we're fourth in the league. Rebounding third. Opensa I think we're ninth or 10th probably because wala sina Aaron (Black) and Allein (Maliksi). Chris (Newsome) has been playing well, but the other guys have to step up. Everybody has to step up."
Chris Banchero is now fully recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out of Meralco's first three games but should be hard-put trying to make up for the continued absence of Maliksi (broken nose), Aaron Black (foot), Anjo Caram and Kyle Pascual (both hamstring) and Norbert Torres (muscle spasm).
Aside from Pogoy (heart condition) and Williams (contract dispute), TNT is also missing the services of Poy Erram, Justin Chua, Paul Varilla and Kib Montalbo. But those absences are hardly felt by the Tropa, what with Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, and Glenn Khobuntin primarily helping Hollis-Jefferson out. (NC)
