Unbeaten teams TNT and Northport collide
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE TNT KaTropa and Northport Batang Pier, two teams which have yet to absorb a defeat in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, stake their unbeaten records against one another in league action today at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Both sporting identical 2-0 cards early in the midseason PBA tournament, the KaTropa and Batang Pier collide in the 4:30 p.m. curtain-raiser with both teams looking to continue their impressive start.
TNT, bannered by certified National Basketball Association talent Terrence Jones for an import, has been solid in its first two games, dominating the NLEX Road Warriors and Alaska Aces in that order to make its way among the leaders in the standings.
Mr. Jones, who played for Houston, New Orleans and Milwaukee in seven years in the NBA, has been steady with topnotch numbers of 42 points, 18 rebounds, 4.5 assists, two blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
In their last game against the Aces on May 25, Mr. Jones finished with 43 points, 22 rebounds and five assists.
Jayson Castro backstopped him with 14 points with Anthony Semerad adding 11 points of his own.
Making things happen as well is Northport, which has been banking on a total team effort to keep rolling in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Forward Sean Anthony has been showing the way for the Batang Pier with 19.5 points per game with rookie Robert Bolick second in scoring with 18.5 points.
Import Prince Ibeh has been good for 17 points and 16 rebounds with Mo Tautuaa having near double-double numbers of 13.5 points and nine rebounds.
The latest of Northport’s victories came over NLEX, 83-79, on May 25.
Despite the win the last time around, Northport coach Pido Jarencio said they could have done better considering the Road Warriors played sans an import, with reinforcement Tony Mitchell not being able to fulfil all the requirements on time.
“We had an import against NLEX but the game still went down the wire. But a win is a win and we will take it, said Mr. Jarencio after their win over NLEX.
“We will continue working on our game,” added the coach, whose team is still to welcome stalwart Stanley Pringle back from injury.
Meanwhile, playing in the 7 p.m. nightcap are the Alaska Aces (1-2) and NLEX (0-2).
