CO-LEAGUE leaders Mahindra and Talk ‘N Text aim to keep their places at the top as they resume their campaigns against separate threats in the resumption of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
TNT Katropa (3-0) will be the first to put its winning streak on the line against sister team NLEX (1-2) at 4:15 p.m., while the Enforcers (3-0) go next when they face another acid test against Alaska (1-2) at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Underwhelming in its run in the first two conferences despite a formidable line-up, Talk ‘N Text is finally getting its act together with this blazing start, while the surprising Mahindra Enforcers are taking the league by storm this conference with their sudden and unexpected rise to the top at this stage.
An unlikely league-leader, Mahindra is showing that it not only belongs in the league, but is a threat and a danger as well to all teams.
Enforcers’ deputy coach Chris Gavina described how his team got to this best start in franchise history.
“Our guys are showing fortitude. We’re treating every game as a playoff game,” he said. “The guys are giving great effort. Their sheer determination and level of consistency are there. We should continue to adapt and overcome whatever the situation is. We should remain focus.”
The Enforcers erased doubts about their legitimacy after they proved they are for real in their last outing.
Mahindra’s uprising reached its climax the last time out after it handed defending champion San Miguel Beer its first loss of the tournament, 105-103, last Wednesday.
Tonight, it’s tough test for the Enforcers as they take on the Aces, who have been inconsistent so far, having alternated losses and wins in their first three games.
The Tropang Texters hope to carry their momentum from their 120-118 slim win over the Aces last Friday night.
Jayson Castro has been leading the fight for TNT Katropa as he is playing superbly thus far. He scored 26 against Alaska to carry the Texters.
After winning their initial game, the Road Warriors are currently on a two-game slide and they are looking to possibly end that with a potential win against Talk ‘N Text. They last lost to Barangay Ginebra, 85-72, last Wednesday in a game, where slotman Asi Taulava sat out after getting suspended for one game.
Taulava returns to action tonight against TNT.
Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum):
4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs. TNT Katropa
7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Mahindra
