Games on Tuesday
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5:15 p.m. – Macau vs TNT
7:30 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater
Team Standings
Group A
*NLEX 8-2
*San Miguel 7-3
*TNT 6-4
*Converge 6-4
Terrafirma 4-6
Titan 2-8
Macau 2-8
Group B
*Magnolia 6-3
Rain or Shine 4-3
Phoenix 4-3
Blackwater 3-4
Ginebra 3-5
Meralco 3-5
* clinched quarterfinals
TALK about the cavalry coming for TNT in time for the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
Shortly after the return of locals Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro from injuries, the TNT Tropang 5G get their heart and soul in import-flavored conferences — Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ) — back in the fold for the homestretch of the elimination stage.
Mr. Hollis-Jefferson, who spent most of the year recovering from the Achilles injury he sustained last December in his stint with Meralco in the East Asia Super League, was activated on Monday in lieu of temporary reinforcement Nick Hornsby.
RHJ’s long-awaited comeback is set for Tuesday as quarterfinals-bound TNT (6-4) battles also-ran Macau (2-8) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) is ready to make his return on Tuesday against Macau,” the team announced.
With the 5:15 p.m. match having zero bearing on Group A’s playoffs cast, the Tropang 5G might as well use it as an opportunity for the three-time Best Import to warm up and get his rhythm back.
Same with Mr. Oftana and Mr. Castro, who have returned just last week.
“Whoever it is na makakalaban namin sa kabila (crossover quarterfinals), it’s going to be a tough matchup. So we really have to take advantage of these games to sharpen,” said coach Chot Reyes after a 116-98 romp over San Miguel Beermen on Saturday that sealed their Last-8 entry with two games to spare in group play.
Meanwhile, it’s essentially everything to play for in Group B with five squads still in hot pursuit of three available quarters tickets.
Only Magnolia, the league’s hottest with a five-game streak, is safely inside the Magic 4 at 6-3.
Rain or Shine and Phoenix, with identical 4-3 records, enjoy the inside track in this five-horse race with Blackwater hanging in at No. 4 at 3-4 — slightly ahead of the Gin Kings (3-5) and Meralco (3-5).
The Bossing and the Bolts get their chance to boost their stock in their crucial clash at 7:30 p.m.
For Meralco, a repeat of its victory in their first meeting (116-114) will lead to a pivotal climb to fourth spot at 4-5 in place of the Bossing (3-5).
A revenge victory for Blackwater, on the other hand, will enable it to stay inside the cutline at 4-4 while dealing the Bolts a major blow at 3-6. — Olmin Leyba