By Jonas Terrado
Game Today
(Calasiao, Pangasinan)
5 p.m. – TNT KaTropa vs San Miguel
TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer look to keep an inside track at a quarterfinals berth when they meet in today’s PBA Governors’ Cup out-of-town game in Calasiao, Pangasinan.
A victory in the 5 p.m. Petron Saturday Special contest will give either the KaTropa (4-4) or the Beermen (3-4) a boost in their quarters bid despite a rollercoaster campaign in the season-ending conference.
The KaTropa have won their last three games after a 1-4 start but rust may be an issue for coach Bong Ravena and active consultant Mark Dickel as they play for the first time since a 104-102 victory over the NorthPort Batang Pier last Sept. 30.
Meanwhile, the Beermen snapped a three-game skid last Oct. 12 with a 117-100 triumph opposite the Phoenix Fuel Masters, but are still in danger zone with the NLEX Road Warriors in seventh at 4-5 and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters right behind them at 2-4.
Rain or Shine was playing Columbian Dyip at presstime at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, aiming for a win to forge a tie with San Miguel for eighth spot.
TNT will be banking on import Marqus Blakely and Terrence Romeo, who were instrumental in the team’s 23-point comeback against NorthPort the last time.
Blakely has proved to be a major addition for the KaTropa, averaging 24.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks since his debut late last month.
Jayson Castro could make his return after missing the last two games due to bone spurs.
TNT’s new mantra of embracing a more defensive approach will be tested anew as the squad tries to neutralize San Miguel’s explosive import Kevin Murphy.
Since replacing Arizona Reid, Murphy has posted 36.0 points on 46-percent shooting.
Rookie Christian Standhardinger (26.6 points and 11.3 rebounds) seeks to continue his splendid play in the tournament while Marcio Lassiter tries to repeat his 26-point effort from the previous game.
