By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

TOP teams headline action at the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup today as league-leading TNT KaTropa stake their unbeaten record against the second-running NLEX Road Warriors in the 7 p.m. main game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Unblemished still in seven matches to date in the season-ending PBA tournament, the KaTropa (7-0), already assured of a spot in the next round, are out to continue to solidify their standing in the top half of the race.

TNT most recently defeated the Alaska, 99-93, in overtime on Oct. 18 that had import KJ McDaniels towing the KaTropa with another solid all-around performance.

The former National Basketball Association campaigner finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals in the victory.

Troy Rosario backstopped their reinforcement with 23 points and eight rebounds while Roger Pogoy had 12 points.

Despite the win, the KaTropa were mindful of how they struggled against the bottom-scraping Aces, underscoring the need for them to shape up especially heading into the quarterfinals.

“KJ saved us again. He’s doing everything for us to us to win. We had our struggles in this game but hopefully these only make us better moving forward,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena after their win.

Incidentally, Michael Digregorio, whom the team acquired via trade last weekend from the Blackwater Elite for Brian Heruela, will make his TNT debut.

Meanwhile, out to stop TNT’s winning streak are the Road Warriors, winners of their last two games.

NLEX decided to replace import prior to its last game but did not skip a beat, and seemingly found a gem in the explosive Manny Harris.

A former NBA veteran as well, Mr. Harris introduced himself to the PBA-dom by leading the Road Warriors to a 117-111 victory over the Columbian Dyip on Oct. 16.

Mr. Harris tallied 45 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks in his PBA debut.

JR Quiñahan also played solid last time around with 15 points while Kiefer Ravena had 11 points and eight assists in the NLEX victory, which padded their push for the quarterfinals.

Impressed and satisfied with the debut of their new reinforcement, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao could not help but heap praises to Mr. Harris even as he said that more could be in store for the import.

“He (Harris) still has a lot of upside. Once he gets used to our style of play, once he gets used to the time zone, we’re still going to get more from Manny,” said Mr. Guiao of the NBA veteran, who shot an efficient 53% from the field, going 15-of-28, in his first PBA game.

“He’s a gamer, he’s a competitor. He did what he needed to do for us to win this game,” the NLEX coach added.

Also playing today in the 4:30 p.m. curtain-raiser are Columbian (3-4) and the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (2-5).

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