The TNT Tropang Giga is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Alaska Aces at 4:00 PM on November 14, 2020, live from the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Banking on their back-to-back wins before entering the playoffs, Alaska will once again try to capture back-to-back wins, this time… against the team that defeated them last October 11.
Despite having four players, Abu Tratter (17), Robert Herndon (16), Michael Digregorio (16), and Vic Manuel (15), scoring in double figures, the Aces still failed to secure a win against TNT, who during that time relied heavily on the duo of RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro.
Pogoy delivered the goods for Tropang Giga in their 100-95 win over Alaska, scoring a career-high of 45 points. He hardly had a struggle as he went 7-of-12 from beyond the arc and 7-of-12 from the two-point zone.
Meanwhile, Castro chipped in 28, along with five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Unfortunately for the third-seeded team who holds an identical win-loss record (7-4) with their quarterfinals foe, Alaska is pumped up and highly motivated going to the playoffs, winning four of their last five matches in the eliminations.
With this, TNT head coach Bong Ravena and active coaching consultant Mike Dickel are expected to utilize all key personnel later.
Similarly, Alaska head coach Jeff Cariaso is likely to bank a lot on his team’s main man Manuel who averages 15.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.09 assists per game.
“He’s our main guy. We need him,” said Cariaso.
Last Monday, due to tightness on his knee, Manuel failed to finish their last game against the NLEX Road Warriors. Nonetheless, he later assured that he’s okay.
“Okay naman. Need lang ng rest,” Manuel said.