Magnolia clashes with NLEX for Philippine Cup solo leadership

Games on Friday
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5 p.m. – TNT vs Blackwater
7:30 p.m. – Magnolia vs NLEX

SLOWLY, injury-hit TNT is inserting pieces to its grand slam bid in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

Dealing with health issues that sidelined guards Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac and recently, Jelo Razon, the Tropang 5G recalled Almond Vosotros last week then acquired two backcourt studs from Converge, Jordan Heading and Mike Nieto.

Fil-Australian Mr. Heading was traded for Mikey Williams while Mr. Nieto was picked up as a free agent.

More good news, big man Brandon Ganuelas Rosser is back on active duty after a long layoff from ACL, posting five points and eight rebounds as TNT stormed to a 94-70 romp over NorthPort on Friday for its fifth straight win off a fumbling 0-3 start.

On Thursday, the reigning Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup titlists activated Messrs. Heading and Nieto ahead of their duel with also-ran Blackwater (1-7) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. They replaced Ping Exciminiano and CJ Payawal in Chot Reyes’ active roster.

It’s not immediately known if the two will plunge into action straight away versus the Bossing, having only a couple of practices with the group and with Mr. Heading recovering from back spasms.

The TNT-Blackwater showdown fires off at 5 p.m., preceding the marquee battle between co-leaders Magnolia and NLEX at 7:30 p.m.

The Hotshots and the Road Warriors engage in a dispute for the solo lead at 8-2 and prime position in the tight race for the coveted Top 4 seeding and twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Going to Friday’s slate, Magnolia and NLEX are only a victory ahead of the chase pack — San Miguel Beer (6-2), Barangay Ginebra (6-3), Rain or Shine (6-3), TNT (5-3), Converge (6-4) and defending champion Meralco (6-5).

“We will go for it (playoffs incentive),” said Magnolia mentor Chito Victolero, whose team quickly moved on from Sunday’s “Manila Clasico” embarrassment that saw them squander a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and concede an 81-85 loss to Ginebra.

“We can’t dwell on that. We focus on NLEX, our next game. So we will prepare hard to get that.” — Olmin Leyba