TNT and Magnolia headline the close of Week 1 of the PBA Bacolor play Sunday, clashing in an explosive duel with the Tropang Giga staking the lead previously held by the Hotshots.
In their best start in a tournament under coach Chot Reyes, the Tropang Giga seek to get going, hoping to keep a perfect card in the midpoint of their elims stint.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, seek to regain the lead that they had been holding until a sorry endgame meltdown leading to a 94-95 heartbreaker to the Meralco Bolts Wednesday.
Paul Lee and his teammates have bounced back with a 94-78 rout of the Blackwater Elite Friday, and they're also raring to get going versus the Tropang Giga in their 7 p.m. setto at the DHVSU Gym.
"Last game namin, sobrang frustrated kami. Dinala namin ito (against Blackwater) as motivation, ayaw na naming maulit pa iyun," said veteran guard Mark Barroca.
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"Nag-usap-usap kami, crucial itong three games namin this week. Natalo kami last time, move forward na kami," he added.
Moving forward, the Hotshots clash with the Tropang Texters in a duel of two teams pacing the field in the fight for the Top Two spots which reward a twice-to-beat incentive in the all-Filipino quarterfinals.
TNT coach Chot Reyes said it's a big game that he hopes Troy Rosario would be good enough to play after twisting his right ankle in the closing minutes of their 91-76 whipping of the Meralco Bolts Friday.
Rosario was taken out shortly after and called it a night after finishing with only four points (2-of-7 from the field), although he grabbed nine rebounds.
"Hopefully, Troy's injury is not too severe, and hopefully he can play on Sunday because he's going to be a big part of our offense," said Reyes.
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It could well be a fiery showdown with Mikey Williams, RR Pogoy and Jason Castro likely to be at the forefront of TNT's attack pitted against Magnolia's lethal weapons in Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva. (SB)
