TNT shoots for 3-0 lead

Magnolia faces tall order

MANILA, Philippines — It’s been a TNT show so far but the Tropang Giga aren’t expecting the title series to get any easier from here.

The Tropang Giga hold a 2-0 lead against Magnolia in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup finals but the Hotshots seemed to have gained traction despite dropping Game 2, 105-93.

“We are playing a tough team and we can’t take it lightly,” said rookie Mikey Williams, TNT’s top man who’s averaging 24.5 points spiked by a sizzling 66.67 percent three-point shooting to go with 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals.

The Tropang Giga followed up their 88-70 opening win with a 12-point victory last Friday. Chot Reyes’ troops torched Magnolia with a record 13 first-half triples for an early 21-point tear then quelled the Hotshots’ furious rally towards the finish.

“That game was a lot closer than the score indicated,” said Reyes. “It just happened that we shot very well in the first half. But we’ve been around long enough to know that’s not gonna happen everyday. We expected a close game every single game in this series and we’re not going to change that expectation going to Game 3.”

The Tropang Giga push for a commanding three-nil upperhand today at the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga and move on the cusp of their first title in six years.

Reyes said the mantra remains the same.

“We have to be better,” he said.

“Our whole focus (in Game 2) was to be better than we were in Game 1. We’re able to do that in the first half but in the second half, it left a lot to be desired so we need to go back, take a look (at that match) and again, endeavor to get better in Game 3.”

TNT caught a break when veteran big Kelly Williams was able to play last Friday despite nursing a back injury sustained during the opener. The 2008 MVP, however, is still listed “day-to-day.”

“He anchors our defense. But as you saw, we subbed him out again in the fourth and we couldn’t get him back in because the back spasm was acting up. We’ll see how it’s gonna be for the next game,” said Reyes.

A 0-2 hole may look deep but it’s something that Magnolia coach Chito Victolero’s charges have already climbed out of before. The Hotshots did this in the 2019 Philippine Cup semis, beating Rain or Shine in seven games.