SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — A full-force Phoenix Super LPG will try to get back at TNT in Game 2 of their 2020 PBA Philippine cup best-of-five semifinal clash, Friday night at the SMART 5G-powered AUF Sports and Cultural Center.
Main man Matthew Wright is expected to suit up in the 6:30 p.m. battle despite suffering a sprained right ankle in the opening quarter of their series opener last Wednesday. The Fuel Masters lost the match, 92-95.
The Fil-Canadian sniper got hurt after landing on Troy Rosario following a shot just six minutes into the match. He never returned since and left with only two points and an assist.
“He will be available next game,” assured head coach Topex Robinson.
Wright’s absence — coupled with Calvin Abueva beset with foul trouble, with five in the first three quarters — made things bleak for Phoenix. Still, the ever-gritty squad still gave itself a chance to win in the end.
The Fuel Masters fought back from as much as 12 down and even led briefly by two with less than six minutes left, but the Tropang Giga got saved by the end-game heroics of veteran floor general Jayson Castro.
TNT lucked out that night, but momentum is undeniably on its side. And it plans to capitalize on that, with the aim to seize a commanding 2-0 lead and move a win away from reaching the Big Dance.
The flagship MVP franchise, a winner of the coveted Perpetual Trophy, last played in the Philippine Cup Finals in 2013 — also the last time that it lorded over the league’s most prestigious conference.
Even with their motivation heading into Friday’s match, head coach Bong Ravena is aware that the Tropang Giga will be in for another dogfight against a team that’s as hungry as them.
“We have to be consistent on our defense because for sure, they’re going to come back anytime. Especially in Game Two, we have to be ready also kasi babalik ‘yan,” the seasoned mentor said.
“Hindi naman magpapabaya ‘yang Phoenix. We know that.”
