The recent trades that changed that outlook of the PBA Philippine Cup title picture will serve as a backdrop to Friday’s matchup pitting streaking TNT and skidding NorthPort at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT will shoot for a fifth straight win after a 0-3 start while hoping to hear some good news before or during the 5 p.m. contest on whether the league will give its approval of the trade to acquire Jordan Heading from Converge for the rights to Mikey Williams.
On Thursday, the Tropang 5G played the waiting game a day after agreeing on the swap that will also pave the way for them to end their long saga with Williams over on-and-off contract negotiations.
In return, TNT is set to pick up a talented guard in Heading, who made quite an impression in his lone conference for Converge in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Having a player like Heading, known for his outside shooting, passing abilities and defense, should definitely excite a Tropang 5G squad that saw its Grand Slam hopes invigorated with this impending trade.
“It’s good, it’s exciting to go to a club with so much history and a lot of class as well,” said Heading, though his status he said remains “fluid” due to a back injury that prevented him from playing for Converge in the ongoing tournament.
For now, TNT hopes to keep the momentum going led by the duo of Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy, who have both made significant strides in their performances as of late.
Renewing rivalry
Meanwhile, NorthPort will see action for the first time since shipping up-and-comer William Navarro to pacesetting Magnolia on Tuesday for aging Calvin Abueva, seldom-used Jerrick Balanza and a future draft pick.
The Batang Pier have a 1-6 record, and will be eliminated with a loss to the Tropang 5G. It’s a stunning downturn after an unlikely semifinal run in the Commissioner’s Cup led by Arvin Tolentino plus Joshua Munzon and Navarro.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra and Meralco renew their rivalry at 7:30 p.m. with the winner securing a place in the quarters.
Ginebra is running fourth at 5-2 with three straight victories while Meralco is at 5-5 going into its final assignment in the eliminations.
The defending champion Bolts are set to compete in the Basketball Champions League Asia in Dubai next week as the PBA’s representative.
A loss won’t jeopardize Meralco’s quarterfinal chances, but it may put the Bolts in a situation of at least playing a playoff for the No. 8 spot, depending on the outcome of the remaining games of the eliminations.
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Meralco is actually the first of two rivalry games for Ginebra, which will return to the Big Dome on Sunday to face Magnolia in Navarro’s expected debut for the Hotshots.
Ginebra is coming off a scary 101-99 win over Blackwater, and is looking for a better showing now that the final stretch will be against formidable foes.
