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 need a win in the 7 p.m. encounter 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 on December 20 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The former NBA player will be teaming up again with his older brother, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, as they try to keep the Tropang Giga afloat in the heated semifinal race.
However, 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 of a tie at the end of the elimination phase.
The Red Boosters (2-2) will parade a new import in Jamil Wilson but will miss the services of injured Asian quota player Rhenz Abando. The former NCAA Rookie-MVP out of Letran traveled with the team, though, for a brief Manila homecoming.
A win by TNT, however, doesn’t guarantee the franchise’s advancement to the semis outright.
The Tropang 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 the second spot. In that case, the tiebreaker situation will be applied to determine the second and last semifinalist in their bracket.
The Chiba Jets of the Japan B. League completed a six-game sweep of their assignment in Group A to take the first semifinals ticket.
