IT WOULD be more than a collision between fire and ice when red-hot TNT goes up against freefalling Terrafirma Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Tropang Giga are gunning for a seventh straight win that would jack their record to 7-2 and put them much closer to a top two finish by the end of the 12-game eliminations.
A victory by TNT Wednesday and more wins in its remaining matches against Phoenix, San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine and would secure the former a top two spot and a twice-to-beat advantage in the ensuing quarterfinals.
For their part, the 0-11 Dyip are hoping they could pull off another surprise against TNT and in the process finally bow out of the eliminations with some semblance of pride through a breakthrough win
Based on their most recent performances alone, it sure looks as if Terrafirma is on a mission improbable assignment.
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After opening up the mid-season conference with back-to-back losses, TNT has recovered its bearings and, mainly using defense, claimed the likes of upper-tier teams Meralco and Converge, plus usual contenders Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, among its victims.
Against the Gin Kings alone last Friday, the Tropa showed their uncanny ability to make the necessary stops by limiting the perennial crowd favorites to a 30-of-83 (36.1 percent) field shooting and 13 turnovers to grind out a 91-86 decision.
"Sometimes our shots will go in, sometimes they won't," said TNT coach Chot Reyes. "But our defense, if it's on point all the time, then we will give ourselves a chance."
Terrafirma actually pulled off an 84-72 shocker over TNT in their final meeting during the group stages of the last Governors' Cup. But that lightning striking again certainly looks remote.
As in most of their past tournaments, the Dyip have been generally unable to sustain whatever fine form they could muster on both ends of the floor, eventually giving up an average of 110.5 ppg while losing their matches by an average of 14.7 points in this current tilt.
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Now comes a TNT crew headlined by all-around import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and very capable locals led by Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, Poy Erram and Jayson Castro. (NC)
