The Talk ‘N Text TNT Tropang Giga is scheduled for a Game 4 Semi-Finals head-to-head match against the Meralco Bolts at 4:30 PM on March 31, 2023 live from the Smart Araneta Coliseum at Quezon City, Metro Manila.
The Bolts are expected to fight for their lives to stretch their semi-final round to a sudden-death match while the Tropang Giga will try to shut the doors completely against their opponent for a trip to the 2023 Govs Cup Finals and face Justin Brownlee and the entire Gin Kings.
The PBA Governors’ Cup Finals have been dominated by Barangay Ginebra and Meralco in recent years, but the TNT Tropang Giga is hoping to change that narrative. The Tropa is just one win away from securing their spot in the championship series, as they lead the best-of-five semifinal showdown against the Bolts, 2-1.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa and his team are bracing for a tough battle against the embattled Bolts in Game 4. “For sure, it’s going to be a hard game, a dogfight, a battle, and whoever comes out the winner, they’re going to be bloodied,” said the interim TNT mentor. He understands the importance of the closeout game, but he’s not looking too far ahead, saying, “We’ll try to close it out and see how it goes.”
The Bolts are not ready to give up just yet, with coach Norman Black admitting that they have to do a better job. After winning Game 2 in overtime, they came out flat in Game 3 and were dominated by the Tropa, 99-80. Black hopes that import KJ McDaniels will bounce back in Game 4 and the team will play better as a whole.
Related: Ginebra vs TNT Game 1 Finals Round
TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a stellar performance in Game 3, collecting 40 points and 13 rebounds to help his team secure the win. “We kept the faith and we stayed focused on the task,” said Hollis-Jefferson. The Tropa was able to hold the Bolts to just 30 markers in the first half, and coach Lastimosa praised his team’s defensive effort.
The two teams will face off again in Game 4 on Friday, with the Tropa hoping to secure their spot in the championship series and face off against Barangay Ginebra Kings. The Kings have already claimed their seat in the finale with an 87-85 win over San Miguel Beer.
The Tropa is focused on their goal and is determined to play with their hearts out to secure their spot in the championship series. “We stayed locked-in for 48 (minutes this time). Though we had a couple of mental lapses in the fourth, we found a way to pull through,” said Mikey Williams, who backed up Hollis-Jefferson with a 29-point performance.
The Bolts will need to put up tough resistance in Game 4 to stay alive in the series, but the Tropa is pumped up and ready to clinch the victory. The game promises to be a dogfight, and the winner will certainly come out bloodied. Who will emerge victorious and secure their spot in the championship series? We’ll find out this Friday.