Corporate wars: SMB vs TNT
KaTropa opt to stay with Smith
Game Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7 p.m. – San Miguel vs TNT KaTropa
TNT KaTropa is sticking with the big-bodied Joshua Smith as import at least for tonight when their best-of-7 duel with the San Miguel Beermen for the PBA Commissioner's Cup crown begins at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The KaTropa opted to let yesterday's deadline pass without informing the league of a roster change, perhaps confident that the 6-foot-10, 330-lb Smith is healthy enough to take on the challenge that is counterpart Charles Rhodes and the Beermen in the match set following the extravagant pregame introduction that kicks off the finals at 7 p.m.
The only question remains is whether Smith can stay long enough for the title showdown after injuring his right foot in TNT's semifinal series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Six-foot-eight Mike Myers is on standby should Smith won't be able to complete the series. TNT team manager Virgil Villavicencio had hintedMonday that the New Jersey native may eventually replace Smith.
KaTropa coach Nash Racela, in his first finals after two conferences as a PBA rookie coach, has refrained from answering queries about the import situation, but would rather stick with Smith, given how far TNT had gone since the former Georgetown Hoyas center arrived last month.
“Of course at this point, if we could, we want to stick with Joshua,” said Racela. “He's familiar with the game, with the PBA, the officiating. He's been with the team for a month and a half, so the question is why replace him if he can play. If we can stick with him until the last game, then we will.”
San Miguel admitted that it's preparation has been affected by the KaTropa mystery, but coach Leo Austria is hoping that the Beermen can concentrate on their own game.
“Kung ako rin yung coach ng TNT, that's also my strategy para manghula yung kalaban nila,” he said. “But we will rely in the basic things na ginagawa namin coming into the finals, because adjustable naman yung ginagawa namin.”
This latest finals meeting between San Miguel and TNT will be a matchup of two talent-laden teams.
Eyeing a second straight and fifth since Austria took helm in 2014, the Beermen have arguably the league's best starting five composed of Rhodes, June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter with Arwind Santos playing backup.
The KaTropa, a mixture of hungry youngsters and seasoned veterans, reached the finals behind a dazzling performance by Jayson Castro in Game 4 with 38 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
Castro was described by Rhodes as the “main X-factor” of the series. Containing the two-time FIBA Mythical Five member would give the Beermen a big advantage.
“He's a clutch shooter. He makes the big shots for their team like he put the daggers in the other team's hearts. So, we really got to contain Castro,” said Rhodes, who failed to play against the TNT star owing to Gilas Pilipinas duties when the Beermen absorbed a 112-103 loss to the same team last May 5.
Castro, who for most of the semis struggled shooting the ball before saving his best for last in Game 4, is banking on his teammates to give the much-needed support.
Meanwhile, TNT forward Troy Rosario has been fined R25,000 by PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa for making a ‘cooking gesture’ in protest of officiating during Game 3 of the team’s semifinal series against Ginebra – a game the KaTropa lost.