NLEX and TNT Tropang 5G look to sweep their quarterfinal assignments in the Season 50 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Robert Bolick and the Road Warriors go for the clincher against Phoenix Super LPG at 5:15 p.m. after taking a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series with a 124-117 Game Two victory last Wednesday.
Bolick, who scored 31 points, said NLEX must close out the series immediately and avoid giving Phoenix a chance to recover.
‘We must go for the kill while they are still down,’ Bolick said. ‘Why give them a chance to come back? We are already here in this situation. Hopefully, we execute our game plan very well.’
Deschon Winston also scored 31 points in Game Two, while import Deonte Burton added 24 points and 10 rebounds. NLEX won Game One, 97-92.
Road Warriors coach Jimmy Alapag stressed that a lot of work is needed to secure a semifinal meeting with the winner of the Converge-Rain or Shine series.
‘The series is a race to three in a best-of-five, and it is not done yet. So, we must have the same mindset and see how we can be better,’ Alapag said.
Phoenix coach Charles Tiu remained optimistic despite falling behind 0-2.
‘We had a bit better game although we just came short,’ he said.
Defending champion TNT also seeks a sweep against Magnolia in their 7:30 p.m. Game Three after posting back-to-back victories, 90-72 and 91-73.
Three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led TNT with 39 points and 15 rebounds in Game Two as the Tropang 5G continued to dominate the Hotshots.
Magnolia, however, remains determined to extend the series despite facing elimination.
‘It is not over yet but let us see what we can do,’ veteran forward Ian Sangalang said.
Sangalang, playmaker Jerom Lastimosa, import KJ Buffen and Zav Lucero will lead the Hotshots’ bid to stay alive.