KaTropa stakes unblemished record against Road Warriors

UNBLEMISHED TNT tries to extend its run in a bid to fan its chance for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs when it takes on dangerous NLEX in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

Sporting a 7-0 card, a win against the second-running Road Warriors (5-1), would solidify KaTropa’s place on top and catapult them nearer to the win-once bonus in the quarterfinals. Game time is 7 p.m.

Phoenix (2-5), meanwhile, parades a new import, former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Alonzo Gee, in a mission to pump life to its ailing playoff campaign against Columbian Dyip (3-4) at 4:30 p.m.

Led by NBA veteran KJ McDaniels, the KaTropa cruised to their sixth-straight win after surviving a scare from the Alaska Aces last week in overtime, 99-93, and stay on course of a possible top-seed finish.

The former Houston Rocket McDaniels erupted for 37 points, including the game-tying basket to forge overtime, on top of 13 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals to spearhead the unbeaten KaTropa’s gallant stand.

With anticipated support from Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario and new gunner Mike DiGregorio from Blackwater, that same all-around performance from McDaniels is expected to be on full display anew as the KaTropa plunge into action against the determined Road Warriors who are looking to pull a surprise against the No.1 team.