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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider TNT makes debut vs Eastern; Meralco eyes share of early lead

TNT makes debut vs Eastern; Meralco eyes share of early lead

Published Dec 5, 2024 07:34 am

At A Glance

  • TNT aims to jumpstart its bid for a second straight title against guest team Eastern while Meralco tries to get a share of the early lead in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup when it locks horns with struggling Terrafirma on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

TNT aims to jumpstart its bid for a second straight title against guest team Eastern while Meralco tries to get a share of the early lead in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup when it locks horns with struggling Terrafirma on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

PBA Images12 (64).jpg
 

The Tropang Giga, the only team who have a shot at completing a grand slam after winning the season-opening Governors’ Cup, looks for a winning start to their bid for the second jewel against the Hong Kong-based squad in the 7:30 p.m. affair.

The Bolts, on the other hand, are looking to sustain their hot start even with DJ Kennedy taking over the import spot against a Dyip team that is still searching for its identity in the 5 p.m. showdown.

The Tropang Giga are bringing in the same personnel from their championship run, of course, with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson expected to lead the charge.

Jayson Castro, fresh off his very first solo Finals MVP citation, will be providing support along with the potent TNT crew that featured Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, JP Erram and veteran Kelly Williams.

TNT, however, will have to shake off the championship hangover especially against a huge test that is the Eastern which has been doing pretty well so far with a 2-1 record in the standings.

The Hong Kong crew, however, is coming off its first taste of defeat against Rain or Shine, 81-99, last Wednesday, Dec. 4, and should be eager to bounce back especially with veteran point guard Glen Yang finally returning to the lineup.

Yang missed the game against ROS due to some hiccups to his travel papers but is expected to return and link up with Bay Area teammates Kobey Lam and Hayden Blankley along with high scoring import Cameron Clark.

Meanwhile, the Bolts will be bannered by Kennedy, their other import for the East Asia Super League, after original choice Akil Mitchell sustained a broken nose in their last game.

Mitchell’s shoes will be a big one to fill in though especially with his impressive performances for Meralco during the EASL and his first PBA game, but Kennedy is certainly up to the task.

At 2-0, a win for Meralco would allow them to join NorthPort which sits atop the standings with a perfect 3-0 slate.

In front of the Bolts are the Dyip who are also bringing in a new reinforcement in Brandon Edwards who was supposed to be Terrafirma’s import last conference.

Although giving up some height with his 6-foot-6 frame in a conference with unlimited ceiling for imports, Terrafirma is hoping his familiarity with the system would eventually translate to victories after their 0-3 start.

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