The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Giga is scheduled for a Game 1 Quarterfinals head-to-head match against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters at 3:00 PM on March 22, 2023 live from the Smart Araneta Coliseum at Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The Tropang Giga has successfully sent a signal to the entire league after beating the defending champions in their last outing in the elimination round. They got rewarded as the number one seeded team in this year’s edition of the Govs’ Cup. For the Fuelmasters, it’s their time to shine, and will attempt to topple a squad that carries a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Basketball fans are in for a treat as the TNT Tropang Giga is set to take on the Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. Despite being the top seed, the Tropang Giga know they face a tough challenge against the Phoenix squad, who are known for their tough defense and talented shooters.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa is optimistic that his veteran-laden team will be able to handle the challenge. “May mga beterano there, sila Jayson (Castro), Kelly (Williams), Roger (Pogoy). They’ve been around,” noted Lastimosa. “It’s a luxury that I have those guys.” The team is also boosted by the return of Poy Erram, who is set to play for the first time following a pre-conference procedure on his knee.
Lastimosa knows that Phoenix will not go down without a fight, however. “Phoenix… it’s always their defense. They try to get you uncomfortable by playing their defense,” he said. “Of course, we also have to watch out for their shooters, sila Tyler (Tio), RR (Garcia), RJ Jazul and si Jason (Perkins) who can play inside-outside so they have materials. Of course, si (Du’vaughn) Maxwell, who is unselfish and fits the system of coach Jamike (Jarin). And then (Encho) Serrano, who is their spark off the bench. We have to make sure that Serrano would not have a rhythm against us.”
The Tropang Giga is coming off a solid finish to the elimination round, where they claimed top honors with a come-from-behind victory against the Barangay Ginebra Kings. Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Mikee Williams, and RR Pogoy led the Tropang Giga’s fiery 30-7 closing salvo to salvage the game and secure the top seed in the playoffs.
Despite their impressive record, the Tropang Giga are not taking their quarterfinals opponent lightly. Lastimosa knows that Phoenix will be a tough challenge, but he is confident that his team is up to the task. “We need to approach this like any other game, malakas man sila o mahina,” he said. “The only difference is, this is the quarterfinals.”
Fans can expect an exciting game between two talented teams. Will the Tropang Giga be able to make short work of Phoenix, or will the Fuel Masters force a decider? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: basketball fans are in for a treat.