At A Glance
- TNT and Barangay Ginebra rekindle the fierce rivalry of the last season when they lock horns for the first time in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
TNT and Barangay Ginebra rekindle the fierce rivalry of the last season when they lock horns for the first time in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Figuring in two hard-fought Finals showdown last season, the Tropang 5G, who won all of those meetings, look to reassert their mastery of the Kings in their 7:30 p.m. affair.
The match will come after the appetizer where Blackwater will gun for 2-0 start against the hard-luck Meralco at 5:15 p.m.
Though highly anticipated, TNT head coach Chot Reyes isn’t putting much pressure on themselves ahead of the marquee showdown.
"We just approach every game, every possession and play the game we know. We'll try to play to our potential, and if wins happen, then we take it,” said Reyes.
TNT, despite still missing the services of guards Jordan Heading and Jayson Castro, as well as center Poy Erram, went off to a rousing start to the Philippine Cup with a 93-78 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
It was a contrast to the start of the Kings, who fumbled to an 80-73 loss to Magnolia in the season opener.
Unlike TNT, Ginebra hardly looked like a shade of their last season’s self especially with the departure of LA Tenorio and Jamie Malonzo.
Ginebra seemed to still be learning to navigate through its new life as RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar struggled to be the leaders the team needed them to be.
"Nothing positive tonight. I didn't see anybody really play well. Our first group has to pick it up,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.