MANILA, Philippines - TNT KaTropa, finally playing under new coach Nash Racela, seeks revenge versus Governors Cup Final Four tormentor Meralco in what promises to be a thrilling match in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
The Texters also look to break out of a heavy six-way tie in the lead as they mix it up with the Bolts at 7 p.m. after the 4:15 p.m. tiff between the Blackwater Elite and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Racela is finally taking the rein at TNT after his stint with the FEU Tams in the UAAP. He’s taking over from Josh Reyes who, in his capacity as interim coach, steered the Texters to a 2-1 start in PBA Season 42.
Meralco coach Norman Black braces for a tough grind, knowing the Texters are aching to get back at the team that crushed their championship aspiration last conference.
Before running into the gritty Meralco bunch, the Texters were 11-1 (win-loss) from the elims to quarterfinals. The loss to the Bolts cost Jong Uichico the head coach position that went to Racela.
“Our game versus TNT will be a big test for us,” said Black.
“They are one of the strongest teams in the league so we must play our best basketball,” Black also said. “Slowing down the high scoring combo of Jayson (Castro) and Ranidel (de Ocampo) will be our main focus, but we will also have to keep track of their shooters. Once again, defending them will be the key.”
Surely, this is a different match with Meralco import Allen Durham gone. Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Jared Dillinger, Kelly Nabong and their teammates have to fend for themselves versus the tough TNT team that also includes Larry Fonacier, Troy Rosario, Moala Tautuaa, Ryan Reyes, Harvey Carey and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.
The Bolts made the PBA Finals for the first time in their upset of the Texters the last time.
But TNT is back on the run, going for a third straight win against Meralco.
Like TNT, Blackwater and Rain or Shine are also out to bolt out of a heavy standoff in the lead as they clash in the other game.
The Texters, the Elite and the Elasto Painters share the lead with the GlobalPort Batang Pier, the Phoenix Fuel Masters and the San Miguel Beermen at 2-1, half-game ahead of the Bolts and the Barangay Ginebra Kings a 1-1.
Blackwater and ROS both won their first two games before being stopped in their last outing.
After a losing season debut versus the E-Painters, the Texters, meanwhile, scored back-to-back triumphs over the Gin Kings and the Blackwater Elite.
The Bolts, meanwhile, dropped their initial game against the Elite, 84-86, then bounced back with a 106-93 spanking of the NLEX Road Warriors.