TNT, Magnolia begin finals clash

CEBU, Philippines —  The TNT Tropang Giga and the Magnolia Hotshots have different goals in mind as they begin their best-of-seven 46th PBA Philippine Cup finals showdown today at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Game time is set at 6 pm.

TNT will try to claim the crown denied from them by the Barangay Ginebra Kings last season while Magnolia hopes to be third time lucky after failing in their previous two title shots.

The Hotshots first advanced to the championship after zapping the Meralco Bolts in six games followed by the Tropa Giga, who booked a return trip to the finals after terminating the San Miguel Beermen, 97-79, in the deciding Game 7 last Sunday.

 “We’re fortunate to be back in the finals,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes, who shoots for his 10th PBA title and first since his last championship in 2012 before bringing his act to Gilas Pilipinas.

Going into the final stage, TNT’s Cebuano star guard RR Pogoy anticipates an uphill battle against the Hotshots.

“Seguro sa finals mas maharip pa kalabanin ang Magnolia. May dahilan na nasa finals sila. Mas mahirap sila kalabanin,” said the Talisay City-native Pogoy.

Aside from Pogoy, the Tropang Giga will also rely heavily on explosive rookie Mikey Williams, veteran guard Jayson Castro, the rejuvenated Kelly Williams, reliable slotman Poy Erram, and Troy Rosario to carry their load on both ends of the court.

For his part, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero insists they’re the underdogs in the series despite being armed with an equally-tough roster bannered by Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee,Mark Barocca, Rome de la Rosa and Jio Jalalon among others.

“We’re the underdog,” said Victolero. “Kaya we need a good rest para makapag-prepare yung legs and minds namin.”

Meanwhile, Abueva got an added motivation to lead the Hotshots in their finals clash against the Tropang Giga as he retains the top spot for the Best Player of the Conference plum.

The Magnolia forward accumulated an average of 34.2 statistical points by the end of the semifinals.

In 19 outings he played in his first season with the Purefoods franchise, the ‘Beast’ averaged a double-double of 15.2 points and 10.0 rebounds, while adding 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 block shots.

Abueva’s teammate Ian Sangalang looms as his biggest threat to the coveted award as the 6-foot-7 center currently ranks third with 33.0 sps.

The 29-year-old Sangalang lags behind prolific NorthPort guard Robert Bolick, who sits in second spot with 33.7 sps, but whose personal bid suffered a heavy blow following the early ouster of the Batang Pier in the quarterfinals where they lost to San Miguel.

Sangalang has been a steady presence for the Hotshots in the middle, averaging 16.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in helping the team reached the all-Filipino finals for the third time in the last four years.

Rookie Mikey Williams fell from second place to no. 4 after struggling early in TnT Tropang Giga’s semifinals series against San Miguel.

Cebuano Six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo closed out the top 5 candidates for the individual honor, with 31.8 sps. He submitted double-double norms of 13.5 points and 10.8 rebounds for the Beermen. — with report from PBA.ph