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| Images are by Paul Ryan Tan/PBA. |
At 4-3, TNT shouldn’t have trouble making the quarterfinals, but they certainly want a twice-to-beat edge when they get there. That means they have to finish at least 6th. Right now, they are at 5th spot with BAR, GIN, and NLX all close behind. A win here should give them some breathing room heading into their last few assignments.
At 6-1, ROS isn’t in any danger of missing the next round, but they want to finish in the top two so they can get automatic tickets to the semifinals. A win here should strengthen their chances to at least get a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals and also prop up their hopes of landing in the top 2.
1. MO MONEY, NO PROBLEMS
- Mo Tautuaa had a bit of a slow start to the season, but he has really picked up his production in TNT’s recent games. The 6’7 Fil-Tongan is seen as a main cog in TNT’s future, so he’ll need to continue being assertive on both ends of the floor. His toughness will be tested again here, though, against a very physical ROS five.
Last game: 20pts, 5rebs, 4asts, 6/8 FGs
Stats: 12.4ppg, 5.9rpg, 2.1apg, 56.7 FG%
2. TROY ROSARIO: PROVING HIS WORTH
- Despite leading NU to a title and his glowing performance for the Gilas Cadets, Troy Rosario still faced some doubts heading into the PBA. Was he going to get enough playing time and touches behind Mo Tautuaa and RDO? Was he going to be able to translate his game to the pros? So far, however, Rosario seems to be proving his worth, putting up big numbers in his last three games for TNT.
First 4 games: 9.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 48.6 FG%
Last 3 games: 18.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.3bpg, 52.4 FG%
3. TNT: TURNOVER PROBLEM
- TNT is one of the best teams in the league in terms of limiting their turnovers, but against BAR that wasn’t the case as TNT coughed the ball up 19 times. That was a big factor in that game that went into overtime, and certainly played into how TNT lost to BAR. Against a team as tenacious on both ends like ROS, TNT must take much better care of the basketball.
Last game TOs: TNT 19, BAR 14
Last game Pts off TOs: TNT 8, BAR 15
4. JEFF CHAN: SIZZLING SNIPER
- Jeff Chan’s shooting was huge as ROS upended GIN in their last game. The Kings, of course, were the much bigger team, but with Jeff Chan’s shooting on-target, the Painters were able to negate that edge by GIN. After a lackluster performance against Blackwater a couple of weeks ago, Chan seems to have rediscovered his fine form and led ROS in their last 2 wins.
Last 2 games: 18.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 2.0apg, 2.5 triples per game, 55.6 3pt%, 45.8 FG%
Overall Stats: 13.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.9apg, 1.7 triples per game, 46.2 3pt%, 45.3 FG%
*Chan is 2nd overall in 3pt%right behind… TNT’s Ryan Reyes (54.2%)
5. MAV AHANMISI: GAINING MOMENTUM
- 3rd overall pick Mav Ahanmisi has experience some inconsistency this conference. With the absence of Paul Lee, many expected Ahanmisi to really take charge, but the great plays of Jericho Cruz, Chan, and sometimes even Chris Tiu have affected Ahanmisi’s minutes and touches. Still, he is a very important player for ROS, and he seems to have gained some momentum in his last 2 games. If he can be productive again here, ROS will have the edge against TNT in the backcourt.
“I still have a lot of things to learn, but I feel I’m fitting in really well. I’m enjoying the ride. Playing with this team is fun and there’s no ego on this team. That’s why we’re a tough team to beat. Because of the chemistry,” Ahanmisi added. (Interaksyon)
Last 2 games: 12.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5 triples per game, 50.0 3pt%, 64.3 FG%
Overall stats: 9.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.1apg, 30.8 3pt%, 47.9 FG%
6. JEWEL PONFERADA: COACH YENG’S NEW FAVORITE?
- Former NU big man Jewel Ponferada has really impressed ROS coach Yeng Guiao with his work ethic and production. Without a doubt, with the departure of guys like Larry Rodriguez and Jervy Cruz, the emergence of Ponferada has helped ROS’s moves to “upgrade” and keep in step with the other powerhouse clubs.
“We got bigger and we got younger,” Guiao told InterAksyon.com in an exclusive interview. “Two or three years ago, we were the youngest team in the PBA, pero hindi na nung nakaraang season. So kailangan mo ring mag-upgrade. Parang computer rin kasi yug isang team, kailangang mag-upgrade.” (Interaksyon)
“Gusto ko dito sa Rain or Shine kasi binibigyan ka ng playing time, yung tiwala sa iyo ng mga coaches, tsaka mga teammates mo andun,” said Ponferada. (Interaksyon)
“Naging Best Player na si Jewel. Nakatulong ng malaki si Jewel nung nadagdag sa team,” Guiao said. (Interaksyon)
Stats this season (ROS): 10.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, 55.1 FG%
Stats last season (GLO): 2.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 33.3 FG%
7. KEY MATCH-UP: MATT GANUELAS-ROSSER X GABE NORWOOD
- When MGR first came into the league last season, a lot of people saw in him a young version of Gabe Norwood. Both had good size for the wing position, had great length, were very athletic, and great on defense. This is the first time they will face each other after playing together on Gilas 3.0, and it’ll be an interesting mirror match of sorts. MGR seems to be the better rim protector and slasher, but Norwood is definitely more dangerous as a perimeter shooter. Needless to say, whoever plays better will give his team a big boost.
MGR Last game: 6pts, 2rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 3/5 FGs.
Gabe Last game: 8pts, 3rebs, 1ast, 1blk, 2 triples, 3/6 FGs.
MGR Stats: 8.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, 0.9bpg, 43.9 FG%
Gabe stats: 7.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6 triples per game, 55.0 3pt%, 55.6 FG%
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