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PBA: Warring SMB takes on TNT for ‘Q’ bonus

Published November 20, 2019, 6:00 AM By Jonas Terrado

Games Wednesday

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City)

4:30 p.m. — Alaska vs NLEX

7 p.m. — TNT KaTropa vs San Miguel

Attention will center mostly on the San Miguel Beermen as they try to secure the last twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals amid a fight that broke out during practice over the weekend.

TNT KaTropa’s RR Pogoy, right, shadows San Miguel Beer’s Alex Cabagnot in this play during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. San Miguel tries to secure the last twice-to-beat incentive against TNT. (PBA Images, File)

The Beermen hope to move on from the incident and beat the TNT KaTropa for the coveted bonus in the match of the eliminations set 7 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

SMB’s chemistry and resolve to win the coveted Grand Slam will be put to a test after import Dez Wells, Arwind Santos, Ronald Tubid and Kelly Nabong exchanged blows during a Sunday morning session at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas.

Beermen management has been mum about the incident, though one source suggested an optimistic belief that things eventually be sorted out on a positive note.

Whether it will be resolved fast enough will be known during the game where SMB, at 6-4, needs to win by at least two points to snatch the twice-to-beat from TNT, which holds a 7-3 mark.

Also being determined at press time is whether Wells will make his return after missing the last two games due to an ankle injury or SMB will stick it out with former NBA player John Holland, who debuted last Nov. 9 in a loss to Rain or Shine in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

TNT is also dealing with its own problems, though not as volatile as SMB.

The KaTropa have dropped their last three games following a 7-0 start to put itself in danger of missing out on a twice-to-beat berth.

Also crucial is the 4:30 p.m. opener with Alaska looking to upset top seed Alaska and clinch the last quarterfinals berth.

Alaska has a 4-6 record, half-game ahead of Columbian and Rain or Shine which ended their elims with similar 4-7 slates.

The Aces will make the playoffs plus gain the No. 7 seed with a win or otherwise face the Dyip in a do-or-die match on Friday. The Elasto Painters are out of contention due to an inferior quotient.

Tags: 2019 PBA Governors' Cup , Arwind Santos , Beermen , Dez Wells , John Holland , KaTropa , Kelly Nabong , PBA Governors’ Cup , Ronald Tubid , San Miguel , San Miguel Beermen , SMB , Talk ‘N Text , TNT