Magnolia eyes finish of TNT Grand Slam chase

William Navarro (entrance) is slowly discovering his footing within the Magno- lia rotation. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

TNT’s bid for a Grand Slam boils down to at least one recreation, when the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals pointers off on Wednesday in a doubleheader that might unravel much more storylines at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Magnolia owns the primary shot at preventing TNT’s chase of the triple crown when the 2 groups collide at 7:30 p.m.—and despite the fact that the Tropang 5G live on that duel, the Hotshots will acquire but any other crack at ousting their foes as a result of their twice-to-beat bonus.

“We have to face whatever’s in front of us,” mentioned TNT superstar Calvin Oftana, speaking concerning the lengthy trek his group now has to take to do so uncommon feat of sweeping all 3 PBA crowns in a season. “At least we’re in the quarterfinals and we still have a chance.”

But the Hotshots are interested in completing off the Tropang 5G and hurdling the primary problem in their quest to finish the franchise’s elusive quest for a championship.

Winning back-to-back video games towards a playoffs opponent isn’t new for the Tropang 5G, who, within the Commissioner’s Cup Finals, overcame a 3-2 deficit towards Barangay Ginebra to assert the name.

TNT is hoping Oftana can a minimum of be productive despite an injured ankle that stricken him in Friday’s 88-83 defeat to Magnolia, and that new acquisition Jordan Heading in any case will get into the Tropang 5G’s scheme of items.

Another an important issue might be the go back of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser from a one-game suspension stemming from his Flagrant Foul 2 towards Barangay Ginebra.

But Magnolia is poised to impose extra hassle on TNT, if Zavier Lucero continues his all-around play from the eliminations, William Navarro has stepped up on the maximum an important time and the mixed veteran-youth core of Paul Lee, Jerom Lastimosa, Peter Alfaro, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang or even Rafi Reavis continues to supply wanted contributions.

NLEX tries to make brief paintings of Rain or Shine as smartly within the 5 p.m. opener and clinch the Road Warriors’ first semifinal berth because the 2022 Governors’ Cup, a span of 3 seasons or seven meetings.

Robert Bolick and the remainder of the Road Warriors, who went 8-3, intention to disclaim any likelihood of the Elasto Painters to pressure a rubber fit with a victory within the No. 2 towards No. 7 matchup.

But Rain or Shine would possibly end up as a tricky buyer, given how it’s slightly very similar to NLEX when it comes to having virtually everybody tasked to make an affect.

Rain or Shine, then again, could have the brink when it comes to revel in, having been to the semifinals within the remaining 3 meetings. INQ