TWO days after tweaking its lineup with a key acquisition in Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, TNT sets out for a new journey under returning coach Chot Reyes, taking on Rain or Shine in the 7:30 p.m. mainer of the PBA Philippine Cup opening twin bill at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Wednesday.
It's an interesting match between two teams which actually both made some movements during the mid-season break.
While TNT gave away Justin Chua and Jaydee Tungcab to pave the way for the entry of Ganuelas- Rosser, the Elasto Painters, for their part, let go of James Yap and Rey Nambatac, indicating they're ready to go heavy with their young guns, including Anton Asistio, Gian Mamuyac, Leonard Santillan, Shaun Ildefonso and Andrei Caracut.
Of course, coach Yeng Guiao will still lean on Beau Belga for board work while also banking on Keith Datu, Jhonard Clarito, Gabe Norwood and Mark Borboran.
The Elasto Painters failed to make it past the quarterfinals in the last Commissioner's Cup, but saw a silver lining on their stirring turnaround from a poor 0-5 start in the tourney.
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They even got the No. 7 seeding in the playoffs and pushed eventual champions San Miguel Beermen to the wall in their quarters matchup before eventually yielding, 127-122.
For Guiao, their Commissioner's Cup showing speaks well of what they can perform moving forward.
TNT, on the other hand, barely made the playoffs with a 5-6 card, beset by health woes, including injuries that hit Jayson Castro and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
But the Tropang Giga had bright moments and bright prospects seen in their emerging stars, particularly Calvin Oftana, a key stalwart even with the national team.
Lack of ceiling and muscles proved too much to bear for the team, and it's surely a big factor in their move to acquire former top draft pick and Rookie of the Year winner Ganuelas-Rosser.
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The burly Fil-Am forward has played under Reyes with Gilas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Games.
Ganuelas-Rosser is expected to fit in right away especially while the Tropang Giga is still awaiting the return of Poy Erram. (SB)
