TNT rues poor shooting

Restoring firepower a must in Game 2

MANILA, Philippines — TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa tasked his misfiring troops to bring out the big guns for Game 2 if they want to pull even with Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals.

Lastimosa rued the Tropang Giga’s uncharacteristic woeful shooting last Easter Sunday, which he felt largely contributed to their 102-90 setback in the series opener.

“We couldn’t make the shots,” was how he summed it up post-game.

A usually efficient scoring machine, TNT struggled to a low 90 markers on a 38.9 percent (35-of-90) field goal marksmanship, including a poor 25.7 percent (9-of-35) three-point clip. Such numbers were a far cry from their pre-finals conference average of 115.9 points and glossy shooting accuracy of 47.7 percent overall and 37.8 percent from deep.

In contrast, the Gin Kings knocked down 43.3 percent of their attempts (39-of-90) spiked by a 41.7-percent three-point-shotmaking (15-of-36) en route to the Game 1 victory.

“We only had (nine) turnovers sa game but if we can only make shots (it could have been different). And my team relies so much on our offense. Of course, defense is always going to be there in the finals. But if you can’t make shots, you have no chance. And they (Ginebra) hit theirs,” said Lastimosa.

There’s also much need for big man Poy Erram to assume more for a TNT frontline that took another hit when Justin Chua went down with a knee injury in the first quarter and joined Kelly Williams on the sidelines.

Erram finished with four points, six rebounds and two assists in a 19-minute stint marred by disqualification on six fouls and incessant complaining to the referees.

“Poy’s got to do a better job of controlling his emotions…I was actually pissed at him; his teammates were actually getting on him because he’s beginning to be a distraction by complaining too much,” said Lastimosa. “And we need Poy in the game now that’s Justin’s out and Kelly’s out.”

TNT faces three-peat-seeking Ginebra in Game two tomorrow in a must-win second match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.