A RECHARGED TNT resumes its seemingly irrepressible drive for one of the top four slots and, at the same time, foil Terrafirma's spoiler plans when they collide Wednesday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A fourth straight win by the Tropang Giga in the 3 p.m. encounter would give them a 6-4 slate.
Another victory over NorthPort in the match ending the eliminations on Friday would push TNT alongside Meralco, just behind leader Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and NLEX, both of which have already been assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
A single loss would quash TNT's immediate goal, however, and that remains a possibility since 2-8 Terrafirma is playing pressure-free, having been long taken out of the playoffs race and now simply trying to end its campaign on a bright note.
The Tropa already went through such an experience in their most recent match last Friday. TNT emerged with a 106-93 win but not after coach Chot Reyes and his charges experienced some anxious moments despite a fast start and as much as a 20-point lead.
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"We had a lot of lapses throughout the game," said Reyes after the Bossing game.
"We weren't able to play a full 48-minute game at the level that we wanted," added Reyes. "Every time we get a nice lead we would relax and we almost paid for it."
Terrafirma sure is capable of pulling the rug from under any of the favored teams. It's just a matter of coming up with the needed finishing kick.
The Dyip managed to erect sizable leads against Alaska, Barangay Ginebra and, lately, NorthPort, but failed to hold on and suffered losses that fueled its current four-game slide.
Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel believes his team has learned its lessons, albeit too late. "Nakita naman ng mga bata na kaya naming at least makipagsabayan sa mga favored at mas experienced teams," he said.
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"If we can hold on hanggang sa dulo this time, siguro naman kaya na naming itawid." (NC)
