“‹Red-hot TNT KaTropa wants to continue its rise, even as Rain or Shine looks to get back on track as the two squads in the upper echelon play separate foes in the continuing 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The Tropang Texters (5-3), currently in fourth place, try to stay hot as they take on Alaska (3-4) at 4:30 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome today.
Looking to snap their two-game slide, the second-running Elasto Painters (7-3) attempt to finish their elimination round on a high note to boost their chances of staying inside the top two when they collide with Meralco (3-5) at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.
After racking up three straight wins, the Tropang Texters are already knocking on the quarterfinals’ door and can even put up a fight for a top two finish.
With the team’s current winning run, TNT coach Bong Ravena sees the Tropang Texters in a good position to not only clinch a berth in the next round, but also give chase for a spot in the top two.
“I think we have a very fair chance to not only make the quarterfinals, but even have a shot at the top two,” said Ravena. “If ever we get three more wins in our last games, I think we’ll be in good shape.”
On the other hand, the Aces are in dire need of a win as they are still unsafe at the moment at sixth place.
Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, even with his team already safely through to the quarters, shared what he sees as his team’s recent problem in its slump.
“I told the players after the break that we feel like they suddenly became selfish-minded,” said Garcia. “We have to go hard against Meralco and win this last game to give ourselves a good chance at ending up in the top two.”
Still outside the top eight, Meralco needs to sweep its remaining three games to insert itself in the mix for a berth in the next phase.
