Texters stake clean record vs Mahindra

TNT KATROPA tries to inch closer one of the top four berths today when the Texters shoot for a seventh straight victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup, clashing with giant-killer Mahindra in a critical elimination round game at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
A win in the 4:15 p.m. contest would put the Texters possibly within just another triumph of sealing a twice-to-beat privilege in the first round of the playoffs even as Phoenix Petroleum and NLEX battle it out to boost their respective bids for the next round in the 7 p.m. game.

TNT has led this tournament right from the start and would remain in the lead even with a loss.

Mahindra, which has a 5-2 slate and is tied with idle sister teams Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, will be gunning for a victory that would allow the Enforcers to stay within the magic circle of four squads that would earn quarterfinal bonuses.

Mychal Ammons came in two games ago and proved a fit for the Texters, who are getting MVP-like numbers from top local gun Jason Castro and a huge offensive lift from veteran internationalist Michael Madanly.

Ranidel de Ocampo, Ryan Reyes and a host of others are playing their part and should do so again as the Texters try to contain the impressive James White and put the cuffs on the playmaking abilities of LA Revilla.

White has been a great all-around force and is the biggest reason why Mahindra is in the upper half of the standings and playing the conference of its young PBA existence.

TNT coach Jong Uichico will have to devise plans to limit White’s contributions as this will also be the first time that the 6-foot-8 White will be facing such a defense-oriented team.

Revilla, on the other hand, returned from a three-game absence to issue 10 assists against Blackwater last Sunday, his playmaking getting the entire team involved and making life a bit easier for White to operate near the rim.

Madanly, meanwhile, will be coming off a 30-point game built around eight triples in a 124-117 decision of the Fuel Masters over the weekend.