TNT’s ability to adapt in difficult situations will be tested once again when the traditional contenders head into Game 3 of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series against Meralco later sans Bol Bol.
All eyes are on the defending champions as this will be their first game without the former NBA pro, who is out for the remainder of the conference after sustaining a partial Achilles tear early in their eventual 87-76 defeat in Game 2 two nights ago.
That left team manager Jojo Lastimosa scrambling for reinforcements. While he reached out to the camps of both Darius Days and another former NBA veteran in Marquese Chriss, the limited time made it impossible for either player to fly to Manila in time for the game, as both remain in the United States.
The Tropang 5G, however, did manage to sign Malick Diouf—a development first reported by Tiebreaker Times Saturday—but it remains unclear whether he will be available for Game 3, as the team still needs to complete the required paperwork for league clearance.
It also remains to be seen whether Diouf will serve as their import for the rest of the semifinal series or only on a temporary basis, with either Days or Chriss—or possibly another reinforcement if both remain unavailable—expected to take on the unenviable role left behind by the 7-foot-3 Bol.
The Bolts, for their part, are looking to capitalize on the uncertainty facing their sister team, much like they did in Game 2, where they slowly clawed their way back into the contest before finishing strong, with Marvin Jones drilling the dagger three-pointer with a minute left.
“We’ve been to four Finals before, we faced Ginebra, and every time in those series we’ve had injuries so we had a bit of luck this time,” offered head coach Luigi Trillo after the game. “You have to take advantage of these opportunities.”
The Tropang 5G are a massive +7.5 underdog, according to Casino Plus’ sportsbook. The over/under for the tiff is set at 186.5 as of 4:30 p.m.
Wagers can be placed here: https://www.casinoplus.com.ph/home/inGame?name=basketball&title=SportBet.
The all-MVP duel is set for a 5:15 p.m. tipoff, serving as the opener of the twinbill capped by Ginebra and Rain or Shine at 7:30 p.m.—matchups expected to draw a strong Sunday crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Like the TNT–Meralco series, the Kings and the Elasto Painters are also tied at one game apiece after the crowd favorites forced a split following a 109-101 win last Friday in a game that was far from comfortable.
(C) PBA Images
In case you missed it, Barangay Ginebra led by as many as 24 points and appeared to be cruising with a 17-point cushion under five minutes left, before Rain or Shine mounted a furious comeback behind Jhonard Clarito, Gian Mamuyac, and Jaylen Johnson, though they eventually ran out of steam down the stretch.
Troy Rosario and RJ Abarrientos came in to seal the victory, but head coach Tim Cone was far from satisfied with the finish, acknowledging that Rain or Shine still holds the advantage in pace given their up-tempo style.
The league’s winningest mentor also admitted that Ginebra has been falling into the trap of matching the Elasto Painters’ relentless tempo, leaving them needing to regain better control of the game’s rhythm.
“If I have to be honest, I think that right now, the pace and the way that the game is being played, is in Rain or Shine’s favor at this point,” he said. “We gotta figure that out. Even though it’s 1-1, we gotta figure that out better.”
The Gin Kings remain as the favorite in Game 3, according to Casino Plus sportsbook, with the handicap set at -5.5. The over/under for total points is currently at 203.5.
