More ‘mind games’ for Ross in duel with TNT’s ‘TJ’
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 08 Aug 2019 02:55:05 +0000
Expect Chris Ross to play more mind games with TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones if that would result in three more victories and a championship for San Miguel Beer.
Ross got the better end of another incident with Jones in the Beermen’s 127-125 double overtime win Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the Best Import frontrunner retaliated to the SMB guard’s foul in the first overtime.
Referee Nol Quillinguen immediately slapped a technical on Jones for second motion, resulting in an ejection after was earlier whistled during a mild incident with Christian Standhardinger.
TNT’s Terrence Jones. (Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
Jones’ absence proved to be a big blow for TNT as SMB was able to get the ball to June Mar Fajardo down low in the second five-minute extension and tie the best-of-seven PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at 1-1.
“He’s a great player, you gotta play some mind games,” said Ross, who was elbowed and stepped on by Jones in Sunday’s 109-96 loss in the series opener.
“I’m going to play mind games out there and if he’s not mentally strong enough for it, then that’s his fault,” added Ross.
Jones’ patience has been tested since the start of the conference, particularly in the first two games of the Finals with Ross and Standhardinger trying to get under his skin.
While he has mostly successful in keeping his composure, Jones did say after Game 1 that he will “not let anybody punk me.” (JONAS TERRADO)