PBA: TNT and SMB appeared on the verge of securing the first two twice-to-beat advantage

Credit to Author: TEMPO Online| Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2019 10:49:58 +0000

The complexion of the PBA Governors’ Cup suddenly changed in a matter of days after losses absorbed TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer.

TNT and SMB appeared on the verge of securing the first two twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals in breeze entering last week before being handed stinging defeats.

The KaTropa’s unbeaten start was halted with a 126-113 loss to the NLEX Road Warriors while the Beermen dropped two in a row to the NorthPort Batang Pier (127-119) and Meralco Bolts (125-99).

TNT remains on top with a 7-1 record, but its gap was reduced to a half-game over second-running NLEX (6-1).

“Buti na lang medyo may luxury kami, bound to lose maybe,” said coach Bong Ravena, referring to a string of close calls TNT had prior to the loss. “It’s a wake-up call for us.”

SMB has suddenly become mortal after going 4-0, having lost three of the last four to fall out of the top four spot with a 5-3 card. The first to fourth seeds are assured of the quarterfinal incentive after the eliminations.

“We have to continue competing. because the problem in our last games, we are just playing, we are not competing,” SMB coach Leo Austria said as quoted by PBA.ph. “I told them we should start, we have to act together especially in practice.”

Meralco and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel benefited from SMB’s drop as they now sit in third and fourth with 5-2 and 4-2 slates. The two play on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Defending champion Magnolia restored some confidence after ending a three-game skid with Sunday’s victory over Columbian. The Hotshots are in sixth spot at 4-4, putting more cushion against teams outside of the top eight.

“It’s like two wins,” Hotshots import Romeo Travis said after his team also moved one spot ahead of the standings.

Columbian could have gained an inside
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