TNT
was the biggest story in the
PBA’
s first ever doubleheader at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
But for the wrong reason.
The Tropang 5G went down to their third straight loss in the Philippine Cup, courtesy of a 95-81 beating dealt by the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
READ:
Phoenix leaves grand slam-seeking TNT to deal with treble of losses
The 0-3 start to the conference is the worst for the franchise since the 2000 Philippine Cup, and naturally, not the proper way to set off the team’s bid for a rare grand slam.
In the other game, NLEX kept its winning run going by mowing down an injury-riddled Blackwater side, 80-72.
It was the third straight win for the Road Warriors, who tied idle San Miguel at second place with a 3-1 standings.
The Bossing fell to a 1-3 record, while the Fuel Masters improved to 2-3.
Here are four takeaways in the weekend games at the newly-built playing venue in Rizal.
1.TNT NEEDS TO TURN THINGS AROUND NOW
PHOTO: Mark Cristino
The Tropang 5G still have eight games left in the eliminations to turn things around. Losing their first three outings is certainly not the proper way to launch their grand slam bid.
If the team is looking to build its confidence back and boost its morale, then a win over San Miguel Beer in its next outing could be the perfect start. But coach Chot Reyes was right on target in saying now way can TNT beat the Beermen based on how it performed against the Fuel Masters.
The Tropang 5G was totally outplayed in the game where they shot just 39 percent (31-of-78) from the floor and got outrebounded, 47-36. As for San Miguel? The team is coming off a huge 104-93 win over Barangay Ginebra to stay at second place behind Magnolia (4-0).
2.ACID TEST COMES FOR NLEX NEXT
PHOTO: Mark Cristino
Perhaps the three-game winning streak should be a good warm up for the Road Warriors as they face perhaps the toughest stretch of their elimination round schedule so far.
The team battles Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday, then faces league leader Magnolia on Sunday, before capping the killer week with a showdown against defending champion Meralco.
How the team survives this tough challenge will certainly have a huge say on how far the franchise can go in the season-ending meet.
3.BLACKWATER CAN’T HAVE A BREAK
PHOTO: Mark Cristino
After winning their first game of the conference, bad luck struck the Bossing anew as leading scorer Sedrick Barefield injured his hamstring, and then lost Christian David to a sprained ankle early in the loss against the Road Warriors.
The no. 2 overall picks in the last two drafts are the leading scorers of the team prior to the NLEX game, with Barefield averaging 18.0 points per game and David with 16.6 points per outing.
Although Blackwater managed to make it a close game against NLEX, the team still needs go-to-guys in the endgame if it is to remain in the fight for the eight berths at stake in the quarterfinals.
4.PERKINS REMAINS THE MAIN MAN FOR PHOENIX
PHOTO: Mark Cristino
The veteran power forward proved he’s still the face of the Phoenix franchise after leading the way for the team in its upset of the TNT Tropang 5G.
The former La Salle star finished with a game-high 27 points while going 11-of-20 from the field and adding six rebounds, three steals, and a block shot.
He played almost 38 minutes and committed no foul as he battled the likes of TNT’s Poy Erram, Kelly Williams, and Calvin Oftana down low.