Defender TNT flooded into Meralco imported KJ McDaniels. –PBA IMAGES
Jojo Lastimosa is beating TNT’s Meralco by 30 points in the opening match of their PBA Governors’ Cup semi-final with a grain of salt, knowing the opposing coach is likely to try to lead his team back up.
“I don’t want to think that Meralco won’t come up with a great plan,” said Lastimosa ahead of Tropang Giga’s attempt to take a 2-0 lead in the best series of the year at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at Ynares Center. in the city of Antipolo.
TNT’s bid comes before two-time defending champion Barangay Ginebra heads for a similar lead over San Miguel Beer in another Finals at 6:45pm
Tropang Giga took advantage of the weary Bolts, who had to qualify to knock out Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals. TNT wins 110-80 that makes it look like Meralco doesn’t belong on the same floor two nights ago.
Meralco wishes not to use fatigue as an excuse, especially when a loss would put coach Norman Black’s men on the brink of elimination.
“Norman was there,” said Lastimosa, the all-time great, who featured in the playoffs with Black during his Alaska days. “I’ve played against him and he’s been a coach for a long time and he’s won a lot. And he knows how to adjust in a situation like this.”
Black admitted that his Bolts played with tired feet, which he hopes won’t happen in this case.
But that’s not to say Black is devaluing how well TNT played behind Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who scored 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in another all-around performance.
Enter three times
TNT enters Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with another double. –PBA IMAGES
Hollis-Jefferson’s numbers prompted Black to issue a challenge to his importer, KJ McDaniels, who was held on 12 points despite being the Bolts’ top scorer in the loss.
“He’s facing a very tough import and he’s got to up his game for us to have success in this series because the kid (Hollis-Jefferson) looks pretty good,” Black said.
Another thing that will get Hollis-Jefferson in the spotlight is his condition. The former NBA player was eliminated in the third round after injuring his groin, but was quick to dismiss any worries, say “I’m fine.”
Another series will see if Ginebra can make up for nearly blowing Game 1 as San Miguel can wipe out the missing 21 points and even take the lead in game four.
Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo and import Justin Brownlee contributed greatly to the Gin Kings win.
San Miguel is keen to return to Ginebra with Cameron Clark and CJ Perez stepping in to play the lead roles.
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