RoS shoots for solo lead
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sat, 02 Mar 2019 16:27:43 +0000
Rain or Shine will be eyeing the solo lead when it takes on TNT KaTropa at 4:30 p.m. today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The Elasto Painters and Phoenix Pulse are currently sharing the No. 1 spot with similar 7-1 win-loss records.
Although Rain or Shine and Phoenix are already assured of slots in the quarterfinals, RoS head coach Caloy Garcia wants to win at least two of their three remaining games in the elimination round to secure a twice-to-beat advantage.
“That’s the goal right now — win at least two of our remaining three games to get the twice-to-beat bonus. But we know that Talk ‘N Text is not going to give up easily. They also want to win,” said Garcia, noting that the 6’7 Raymond Almazan was sidelined by a sprained ankle.
“I think Raymond will only be available to play in the playoff round or in our last game in the elimination round,” added Garcia, who will now be relying on seasoned big man Beau Belga, the vastly improved Norbert Torres and Jewel Ponferada.
The Elasto Painters, meanwhile, are keen to extend their five-game winning streak.
TNT (3-3) is coming off an 80-75 victory over Magnolia on February 3, behind Roger Pogoy’s 26 points and Jayson Castro’s 24 points. They are expected to go all out against the Elasto Painters today.
“Every team in the PBA is good. TNT is a proven competitor in the past and they are looking to get back on the track again. We understand that we have to play our best every game,” said Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood.
In the 6:45 p.m. second game, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, solo at No. 3 with 3-2, eyes its third consecutive win when it faces Alaska.
Twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar will lead the Gin Kings’ charge against the Aces.
The injury-plagued Aces (2-2 record) suffered an 80-94 defeat to Phoenix on Friday.
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