Coach Jojo Lastimosa will have to make do with the remaining cards on his deck.
TNT Tropang Giga’s frontline just got thinner.
Already without Kelly Williams, TNT has now apparently lost Justin Chua as well due to an ACL injury he suffered during Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“Yes he is [out]. He suffered an ACL tear,” said coach Jojo Lastimosa.
It appears the Tropang Giga will have to rely a lot on Poy Erram with Williams still recovering from a calf injury. Williams is a game-time decision for TNT for Game 3.
But Lastimosa will have to make do with the cards left on his deck in sending this best-of-seven series home against a Ginebra side bannered by big man and Best Player of the Conference candidate Christian Standhardinger.
Good thing TNT was able to even the series with a 95-82 win in Game 2 on Wednesday thanks in large part to to their torrid shooting from beyond the arc (15-of-35) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson battered Ginebra on all fronts with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and 9 assists. He also had 2 steals while only resting for 52 seconds.
Mikey Williams chipped in 21 points built on 5 three-pointers.
The Tropang Giga will shoot for the series lead in Game 3 on Friday at the same venue.