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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider NLEX, TNT gun for third straight win, share of lead

NLEX, TNT gun for third straight win, share of lead

Published Oct 28, 2025 01:11 pm

At A Glance

  • NLEX and TNT aim to keep its streaks going when they gun for their third straight win against separate foes in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup doubleheader at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
NLEX and TNT aim to keep their streaks going when they gun for their third straight win against separate foes in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup doubleheader at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The Road Warriors lock horns against the slumping Blackwater Bossing in the first offering at 5:15 p.m. while the Tropang 5G figure in a marquee showdown with the Meralco Bolts at 7:30 p.m.
Both sporting 3-1 records as part of a five-team logjam that also included Rain or Shine, Converge and Magnolia atop the standings, NLEX and TNT are hoping to regain the share of the lead should they win against their respective foes.
Easier said than done, however, especially that both Blackwater and Meralco are raring to bounce back from their losses from the last games.
The Bossing are determined to stop the bleeding and arrest a two-game slide while the Bolts are hoping to get back on the winning track after seeing their three-game winning streak snapped by the Road Warriors, 85-89.
But more than creating some sort of separation from the rest of the field in the standings, the focus for both of the TNT and NLEX coaches are their own development heading into the middle of their elimination schedules.
“It's crucial we've got everyone back healthy,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes as the team continues to deal with injuries to key players Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
"Everyone getting in is obviously much better than not having a complete lineup. That's the main difference in us continuously improving. And hopefully, we continue playing at a high level," he added.
As for the part of NLEX head coach Jong Uichico, the focus is making sure his players follow their system especially on the defensive end.
“Hindi naman talaga namin kayang i-outscore 'yung mga teams, e. Hindi kami ganun. Buti kung ganu'n kami, okay ako,” said Uichico.
“Pero dapat kilalananin mo 'yung team mo kung hanggang saan mo kaya yung opensa niyo and then you try to defend the best way you can. And hopefully your gameplan works," he added.
The veteran coach, however, is tempering expectations for NLEX, though he would want his team to keep their momentum going and compete against the title contenders.
"Ang vision ko lang naman sa NLEX is for us to compete with the strong teams. If we compete every day bahala na 'yung resulta kasi wala naman kaming control. But we need to compete talaga every game,” he added.
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