spot_img
28.4 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Texters, Bolts begin semifinal showdown

- Advertisement -

THE brewing sibling rivalry between TNT KaTropa and the vastly improved Meralco Bolts commences as they begin their best-of-five semifinal showdown in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.

The Tropang Texters and the Bolts face off in the semifinals for the first time with Game 1 to be played today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Drawing first blood will be critical in a race-to-three victories playoff. Both teams are expected to slug it out hard right away.

Only beaten once thus far this conference, the Tropang Texters have consistently been playing at a very high level.

File photo

They will be favored coming in but TNT coach Jong Uichico still urged his team to keep trying to improve so that they can sustain their early success.

- Advertisement -

“We’re now in the semis and if we’re going to win, we need to be able to defend consistently,” said Uichico.

For the second straight conference Meralco has reached the final four. This time around, Bolts coach Norman Black is looking forward to his team’s more mature showing given that they already have experience going this deep in the playoffs.

“We’ve been here before and right now, the semis should not be the end for us. All we need is to eventually win a championship,” said Black.

The two protagonists immediately disposed of their respective opponents in the quarterfinals to advance after they took full advantage of their twice-to-beat incentive there.

TNT KaTropa continued to dominate as it manhandled playoffs neophyte Phoenix, 136-124, last Saturday after superstar Jayson Castro exploded for 42 points.

Prior to that, Meralco overcame a 15-point deficit and clawed its way back to complete a 105-82 rout over Mahindra also on the same day.

Meanwhile, over at the other side of the fence, the hostilities have already started between San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra as their own best-of-five semis tilt is already underway as of this report with Game 1 currently on deck.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles