TNT fights for dear life as it faces Anyang Jung Kwan Jang on Wednesday in a crucial East Asia Super League showdown at the Philsports Arena.
The Tropang Giga badly needed a win in the 7 p.m. encounter for them to stay in the hunt for the remaining semifinals berth in Pool A.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returns to action for TNT (1-4) following the injury he suffered in the team’s 80-69 win over the Taipei Fubon Braves last Dec. 20 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The former NBA player will be teaming up anew with older brother Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson as they try to keep the Tropang Giga afloat in the heated semifinal race.
But the visiting reigning Korean Basketball League champion is also seeking a win to formally clinch a berth in the Final Four and avoid complications in case a tie ensues at the end of the elimination phase.
The Red Boosters (2-2) will parade a new import in Jamil Wilson, but are going to miss the services of injured Asian quota player Rhenz Abando. The former NCAA Rookie-MVP out of Letran travelled with the team though, for a brief Manila homecoming.
A win by TNT however, doesn’t guarantee the franchise of advancing to the semis outright.
The Triple Giga still need a Taipei Fubon Braves win over the Anyang Red Boosters on Feb. 7 in the hope of forging a three-way tie at second spot, in which case, the tiebreaker situation will be applied to determine the second and last semifinalist in their bracket.
The Chiba Jets of Japan B. League completed a six-game sweep of its assignment in Group A to take the first semifinals ticket.