WITH a quick turnaround from its triumphant conference debut, the TNT Tropang Giga eye a second straight win Friday against a Rain or Shine team bent for a bounceback from a disappointing first outing.
The Tropang Giga and Elasto Painters slug it out in the 5:45 p.m. mainer in the initial swing of the PBA Season 47 Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Tropang Giga were off to a rousing start with interim coach Jojo Lastimosa and new import Jalen Hudson, topping the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 123-119, in a high-scoring duel Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hudson had a solid double-double outing with 34 points and 10 rebounds plus seven assists, and gunners RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana led the support crew with 21 and 17 markers, respectively, as the Tropang Giga started on a good note a redemption campaign after a letdown in the recent Commissioner's Cup.
But Lastimosa said they still have a lot to work on.
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"I'm still groping. I need to be better. They players need to be better and we wanna improve every game," said Lastimosa, bracing for battle versus the Elasto Painters, a dangerous side after a 105-87 blowout loss to the Meralco Bolts on opening day.
A lot is expected from Michael Qualls, with his attention called after his poor 14-point effort in his first game in a Rain or Shine jersey.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said the team went down with Qualls.
"At some point our import got frustrated. You can tell from his body language that he lost his energy. Eh energy guy si Michael Qualls. And from that point, I thought we have a problem because this is not his real character," said Guiao following their loss.
"Even in practice, I haven't seen him with energy that low, kaya I was surprised because that's not his usual demeanor," Guiao added.
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Qualls was prolific in his previous PBA stint with NorthPort.
Guiao is hopeful they can fix things, and that Qualls can dish out his old form. (SB)
