Unbeaten TNT puts streak on the line vs Phoenix
TNT Katropa stakes the only unbeaten record and tries to creep closer to the playoffs today when the Texters battle Eugene Phelps and the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Still perfect after five games, the Texters take on the Fuel Masters at 4:15 p.m., looking to also burst the bubble of invincibility surrounding Phelps, who has led Phoenix to two wins two since arriving in the country.
The Texters are also looking forward to playing again to finally see whether replacement import Mychal Ammons has what it takes to lead the team deep in the season-closing conference.
Ammons had a week to get accustomed to the local brand and the Texters’ style of play.
He said he was better than the 18 points and 18 rebounds he produced in helping TNT post a 109-89 win over Blackwater last Friday.
San Miguel Beer will also try to extend a three-game winning run as the Beermen aim to stop GlobalPort in its track in the 7 p.m. contest.
The Beermen are installed as the heavy favorites even if the Batang Pier will be coming off their first win of the conference after five losses.
GlobalPort nipped Meralco in double overtime last Sunday, 126-123, with Anthony Semerad capping a career night with a triple with 14.9 seconds left in the second overtime to lift Batang Pier to victory.
Semerad finished with 24 points.
Phelps is averaging around 37 points and 17 rebounds for the Fuel Masters, using a 52-point debut before the All-Star break to announce his arrival as Phoenix’s savior.
But TNT has a battery of defenders willing to sacrifice their bodies and a great defensive mind in coach Jong Uichico as the Texters are now rounding up to full force with their stars returning to the fold one after the other after nursing injuries.
Jason Castro is, however, still the top local gun for the Texters.
Though he will be coming off his lowest-scoring game of the conference of seven points by playing only in the second half against the Elite, the 5-foot-10 point guard will be a major match-up problem for the Fuel Masters.
Cyrus Baguio has also settled down being Phoenix’s leader and veteran presence on the floor.
