PBA: Revenge in the air as NLEX, TNT eye semis

By Jonas Terrado

Games Monday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. — NorthPort vs NLEX

7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs Magnolia

Revenge will be on the minds of NLEX and TNT KaTropa as they aim to secure semifinal spots against their quarterfinal opponents in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Top seed NLEX takes on No. 8 NorthPort in the opener at 4:30 p.m. before third-ranked TNT tries to end the reign of sixth placer Magnolia in the second game at 7 p.m.

NLEX and TNT are keen on making things easy and avenge the defeats absorbed by their respective foes in the eliminations.

The Road Warriors saw their five-game winning streak come to an end last Nov. 13 when the Batang Pier produced a 102-94 decision at the Big Dome while the KaTropa fell 100-93 to the Hotshots three days later in Davao City.

Despite claiming the top seed, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao admitted that a two-game slide to end the eliminations is a cause for concern. But he also believes the loss to the Batang Pier is also a good problem.

“We know we have a twice-to-beat advantage, we know that a false sense of confidence that we probably had the last time is going to be erased because they beat us,” he said.

“We know we have a hard game because they already know they can beat us so we will need all the intensity and preparation to beat NorthPort.”

NorthPort overcame losing rookie Robert Bolick to a season-ending ACL injury and a mid-elims slump to make the playoffs.

Meanwhile, TNT is hoping to reverse the tide against Magnolia and secure its place in the semis for the second straight conference.

Entering the contest in good spirits is KJ McDaniels, who emerged as runaway leader in the race for the Best Import award.

The return of Jayson Castro from an ankle injury is also a welcome development for the KaTropa.

Source: Manila Bulletin