TNT KaTropa expressed readiness in facing the brunt of San Miguel Beer’s expected counterattack when it aims for a 2-0 lead in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Wednesday
at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Bong Ravena and consultant Mark Dickel are looking to foil whatever adjustments the Beermen will make in the 7 p.m. match and move halfway from completing their first championship since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.
The KaTropa leaned on the dominant form displayed for most of the conference while also capitalizing on the fatigue factor the Beermen endured following a semifinal triumph over Rain or Shine to take the series opener, 109-96, last Sunday.
But Jayson Castro said the lopsided result, which saw TNT going on an 18-0 run late in the first quarter and led by 23 multiple times, could be an afterthought once the two teams return to the hardcourt.
“Matagal na series ‘to (This is going to be a long series),” said Castro. “Let’s see kung ano mga adjustments namin at ano ang mga adjustments nila (Let’s see what our adjustments are and what their adjustments are.)
One of the things SMB will try to succeed is to limit TNT KaTropa import Terrence Jones, who put on a dominant showing with 41 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
Jones’ all-around brilliance was complemented by the plays of Castro, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Brian Heruela and Don Trollano, who all did their share in the lopsided win.
SMB is also looking for more contributions from almost everyone after import Chris McCullough and June Mar Fajardo combined for 56 points.
Chris Ross may be needed to produce more offense while continuing his knack for dishing out assists and forcing turnovers, so are Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.
McCullough is also eyeing to limit his mistakes after committing nine turnovers while Fajardo tries to assert himself more in the paint and avoid spending more time on the bench in favor of Christian Standhardinger.
Coach Leo Austria is also banking on Terrence Romeo to provide some spunk and perhaps fill the void left by Marcio Lassiter since suffering an injury in the quarterfinals. (JONAS TERRADO)
