BY JONAS TERRADO
REVENGE will be in the minds of NLEX and TNT KaTropa as they aim to secure semifinal spots against their quarterfinal opponents in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Top seed NLEX takes on No. 8 NorthPort in the opener set at 4:30 p.m. before third-ranked TNT tries to end the reign of sixth placer Magnolia in the second game which tips off 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 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,” added Guiao.
NorthPort overcame the odds of losing rookie Robert Bolick to a season-ending ACL injury and a mid-elims slump to make the playoffs.
Meanwhile, TNT is likewise hoping for a short series against Magnolia as it goes for semis berth for the second straight conference.
KJ McDaniels is expected to play an inspired game for TNT after emerging as the 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.
