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PBA: TNT KaTropa eyes 5th straight victory

By Jonas Terrado

Team Standings W L

TNT KaTropa 4 0

San Miguel 3 0

NLEX 4 1

Meralco 3 1

Magnolia 3 1

Columbian 2 2

Ginebra 1 2

Blackwater 1 2

Rain or Shine 1 3

NorthPort 1 3

Phoenix Pulse 1 4

Alaska 0 5

Games Wednesday

(Cuneta Astrodome)

4:30 p.m. — NorthPort vs TNT KaTropa

7 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Phoenix Pulse

Defense will be the main focus of TNT KaTropa today as it puts on the line an unbeaten mark after five games against struggling NorthPort in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

TNT’s KJ McDaniels gestures after his 3-point shot in the PBA Governors’ Cup against Phoenix at Smart Araneta Coliseum, October 2, 2019 (MB photo / Rio Deluvio)

The KaTropa look to keep their hot streak going in the first game at 4:30 p.m. but are eager to avoid defensive lapses that almost cost them victories against the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters and Columbian Dyip.

TNT scored an average of 124 points but gave up 119 points in the two games that both end up as five-point victories.

KaTropa guard Jayson Castro goes for a lay up past Columbian defender CJ Perez (PBA Images)

“Two games na kaming sobrang hindi gaanong kagandagan ang depensa namin,” said TNT guard Jayson Castro as Quote: d by PBA.ph. “Ang taas ng binigay naming score so kailangan naming mag-adjust pa sa defense namin.”

Castro, import KJ McDaniels, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Don Trollano are hoping to meet the expectations of coach Bong Ravena and active consultant Mark Dickel against the Batang Pier.

They know that the Batang Pier will be a tough customer despite struggling with a 1-3 record.

NorthPort won its opening assignment against Rain or Shine last Sept. 20 but fell to Magnolia (96-80), Columbian (114-108) and Blackwater (107-98), respectively.

Rookie Robert Bolick, Mo Tautuaa and Sean Anthony aim to give the Batang Pier the upset while import Mychal Ammons, who played for TNT in the 2016 Governors’ Cup, face his former team for the first time.

Rain or Shine and Phoenix aim to improve their fortunes in the second game set at 7 p.m.

The Elasto Painters have lost two in a row for a 1-3 record while the Fuel Masters are already in panic mode with a 1-4 slate.

Tags: 2019 PBA Governors' Cup , Batang Pier , Don Trollano , Jayson Castro , KaTropa , KJ McDaniels , Mo Tautuaa , NorthPort Batang Pier , PBA Governors’ Cup , Robert Bolick , Roger Pogoy , Sean Anthony , Talk N Text KaTropa , Troy Rosario