The TNT Tropang Giga drew first blood in this semifinal series, as they eked out a 90-81 win in Game 1 over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. That game was played tighter than what the score suggests, but will it be the same result this Friday? Or, will Rain or Shine even things up by picking up the pieces and landing a win?

Catch this game live on Friday,  October 9 at 5:00 pm, Manila time.

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Adrian Nocum
  • Andrei Caracut
  • Jhonard Clarito
  • Gabe Norwood
  • Aaron Fuller

Rain or Shine had control of Game 1 against TNT until the second half. The Elasto Painters had a four-point lead at the half, but they failed to hold off TNT in the third quarter where they got outscored by 13 points. Rain or Shine’s issues in the series opener included the team’s effort on the glass. The Elasto Painters were outrebounded, 66-54, with nearly half their boards coming from Aaron Fuller, who had 21 rebounds (1o offensive) to go with his 18 points. 

That means without Fuller on the floor, Rain or Shine was losing the possession battle. In fact, TNT had 16 more attempts from the field than the Elasto Painters. The good news for Rain or Shine is that such a problem can be fixed.  The same can be said about the team’s free-throw woes. They probably would have at least covered the spread had they shot much better on the charity stripe, where the Elasto Painters went just 14/26.

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TNT Tropang Giga (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Rey Nambatac
  • RR Pogoy
  • Kim Aurin
  • Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
  • Kelly Williams

The Rey Nambatac Revenge Game happened in the series opener, as the former Letran Knights star poured in 11 of his 14 points in the pivotal third quarter. Nambatac admitted after the game that he threw up before the second half and felt better, as evidenced by his third-quarter eruption. Of course, it was more than just about one player for TNT. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shot just 10/25 from the field for 26 points but he had nine assists and grabbed 13 boards. 

Plus, he played tenacious defense with five steals and four blocks to his name  Hollis-Jefferson is capable and willing to do whatever it takes for TNT to win even when his shots aren’t falling, and that’s a not-so-secret reason why the Tropang Giga are a scary bunch to face. That’s not to mention RHJ being surrounded by excellent local talents like Namatac and Calvin Oftana, who had a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards in Game 1.

Picks

Spread: Rain or Shine (+3.5)

Over/Under: Over (208.0)

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