TNT KaTropa tries to apply the broom on Meralco, seeking a two-game sweep of their best-of-three quarterfinals showdown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta ColiseumWednesday night.
The Texters will now be riding the crest of a three-game romp while the Bolts are reeling from four straight losses from the elims as they slug it out at 7 p.m.
Now with a virtual twice-to-beat advantage, the Texters are determined not to let the series drag on, wary anything can happen in a do-or-die battle.
Jayson Castro and his teammates moved within a game of the Final Four in a thorough 102-84 domination of the Meralco Bolts in Game One Monday at the Big Dome.
The Texters cruised to the crucial 1-0 lead despite Joshua Smith slowed down by a bum stomach, much to the disappointment of Meralco coach Norman Black.
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Black called the attention of their import Alex Stepheson whom he hopes to respond to the challenge in Game Two.
“We’ll see how he handles it and how he reacts. Anyway, we only have one more game left if he doesn’t play well,” said Black, flabbergasted as Stepheson played below par up against an ailing TNT counterpart.
“They didn’t even start their import, which doesn’t say much for their respect for my import,” said Black. “For me, as a former import, it would’ve been insulting for the other team not to start their import.”
Stepheson didn’t smell blood. He made only nine points and 16 rebounds, both below his norms of 17 markers and 20.9 boards an outing.
Black said Stepheson has to recall his dominant form or they would kiss their title hopes goodbye.
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“He has to become more dominant. He has to become more productive for us to even have a chance. That would be number one. And hopefully, number two would be the locals will follow him and also pick their performance,” said Black.
TNT coach Nash Racela said they will try to keep their focus on doing the right things.
“As a team we always talk about it. We have this tendency of giving our opponent a window to catch up when we are leading. We have to minimize our mistakes,” said Racela.
If they are able to close out the series, the Texters will avenge a 1-3 loss to the Bolts in their semifinal confrontation in the last Governors Cup.
