THE TNT Tropang Giga have safely made it to the playoffs but nonetheless are still expected to push their drive in a hope to gain high seeding in the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals.
Coach Chot Reyes and his troops pursue this goal as they tangle with a quarters-spot-chasing Magnolia side on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang Giga and the Hotshots slug it out at 7:30 p.m. with the former shooting for a seventh win in eight games and the latter eyeing win No. 5 against three losses in Group A.
TNT is two wins away from a sure top spot in the group that will send them to the crossover quarterfinals (best-of-five) versus the last seed from Group B.
The good news is the team is heading to the playoffs with a deeper rotation on the reactivation of Kelly Williams from the injured list and the return of Calvin Oftana from his own health problem.
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Both made an impact as the Tropang Giga repeated over the Meralco Bolts, 108-99, to stretch their run to four games Thursday.
Oftana top scored with 25 points while Williams contributed nine as a bonus to the inside presence and defensive muscles he's provided to the team.
"(Kelly) is very important as Kelly gives us not only the size but the athletic ability and veteran leadership," said TNT coach Chot Reyes on William's return, making his first game in PBA Season 49.
"Like tonight (Thursday versus Meralco) in the stretch, there were about two, three possessions where we had to make a stop, and Kelly was inside to help in those defensive situations. And any points that Kelly scores for us is really a bonus," Reyes also said.
Versus the Hotshots, Williams is expected to be the chief defender to be thrown against Shabazz Muhammad.
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Muhammad and the Hotshots are making the last push in a bid to land a spot in the Final Eight.
The Magnolia import sub played limited minutes due to fouls but delivered the winning basket in their 99-98 squeaker over Terrafirma Thursday to stay right behind TNT and Meralco in Group A leaderboard.
At 4-3, the Hotshots are half-game ahead of the Converge FiberXers (4-4) with the NorthPort Batang Pier at fifth at 3-5. Out of the running is Terrafirma at 0-8.(SB)
