IN a rare split Saturday double-header, NLEX and TNT clash in Candon, Ilocos Sur while Rain or Shine and Terrafirma collide in Caloocan, with each team determined to push their playoffs drive.
The Road Warriors and the Tropang Giga duke it out at 6:15 p.m. far north, with the former seeking to firm up hold of second spot and the latter out to break into the Top 4.
It's expected to be a shootout with All-Star Game co-MVP winner Robert Bolick leading the NLEX charge and Three-Point Shootout king Calvin Oftana at the forefront of TNT's bid.
And it's not just about Bolick and Oftana.
A bevy of guys have been providing push allowing the Road Warriors (5-1) to enjoy a second-running position in the race to the Top 2 and its reward of twice-to-beat bonus in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Sponsored content:
There's Anthony Semerad who complemented well with Bolick and collected 22 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double outing in their 87-74 blasting of Magnolia that sent them to the doorstep of the post-elims play.
The Tropang Giga, meanwhile, are at 3-3, hitting the .500 mark again the last time on their 92-90 decision over the Meralco Bolts.
On where they are right at this moment, the Road Warriors and the Tropa credit on the effort they put in practice and in the actual game.
"It all starts in practice. We go hard in practice, take extra shots and hit their weights room," said Semerad.
TNT coach Chot Reyes said the PBA landscape has changed, with all the teams having upgraded their roster, and one has to put in a tremendous amount of effort to be able to compete.
Sponsored content:
"TNT is no longer the mighty TNT team of the past. The sooner that we understand that, the better for us. We can't win games on talent alone or just by showing up. We have to outwork and outhustle every team that we play," said Reyes.
The two teams have the same thing in mind going to the Candon game. And it's expected to be war. (SB)
