MORE than just holding the fort would be foremost on the minds of the remaining TNT players when they clash with NorthPort Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, kicking off the Tropang Giga's hectic windup to their PBA Philippine Cup eliminations campaign.
The Batang Pier have seen their winning start to the season-opening tournament cut short at two and have now lost three straight games.
Coach Pido Jarencio's charges, still without their main frontliners in Troy Rike and Jervy Cruz, are now hard-pressed to get back on track, but are expected to have a gargantuan task in their hands against a TNT squad which has a loftier goal it hopes to hit despite some manpower problems.
Currently running fourth with a 5-2 record, a fourth straight win would practically assure the Tropa of a seat in the ensuing quarterfinals.
More wins in their remaining elims matches against TerraFirma on Friday, San Miguel Beer on July 7 and Barangay Ginebra on July 10 should not only cement TNT's place in the next round but also give it a good shot at clinching a top two finish and its accompanying win-once advantage in the Last 8.
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After the elims, the defending champions take a much-needed break while their core boosts the national squad taking part in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers set July 12-24 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The respite should also help TNT's injured players to recover fully.
Due to knee injuries Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes and JD Tungcab were all sidelined in the Tropa's 87-72 win over Phoenix Super LPG last Sunday. Kib Montalbo also sat that match out due to a groin strain.
"We have four games left, and we have to get as many wins as we can. And then we're going to get a two-week break, I think, while the other teams are still playing," said Reyes following the Phoenix game.
"We're going to get a break, and hopefully we can use that break to have our injured core recover," added Reyes.
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Aside from having to play small ball for majority of the game, containing TNT's scoring machine in Mikey Williams and the equally explosive Roger Pogoy and Jason Castro would be NorthPort's other nagging concern.
After a so-so performance in his first game back just last Thursday, Williams flashed his old fiery self by torching the Fuel Masters for 27 points in a performance that also featured seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. (NC)
