TNT will be one man short when it takes on Rain or Shine in the must-win Game 3 of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
TNT suffered a big blow heading into its most important match yet in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 15.
The Tropang Giga will be without young slotman Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who sustained an ACL injury in the opening quarter of TNT’s 121-113 loss to the Elasto Painters on Sunday, May 12 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“ACL,” TNT coach Chot Reyes confirmed to One Sports when asked about the injury days after the match.
That means BGR will sit out the 7:30 p.m. rubber match between the Tropang Giga and the Elasto Painters at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
But despite the setback, Reyes will still have choices for weapons at his disposal.
Reyes can still bank on Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, and Jayson Castro with their season on the line against ROS.
There’s also Kelly Williams, who, at 42, remains a serviceable big for TNT. But with BGR out, Jewel Ponferrada and rookie Henry Galinato have no other recourse but to step up big time in lieu of the no. 1 pick from the 2022 PBA Draft.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao finds solace in the fact that his young team is learning how to close out games, a playoff game no less.
“Natututo na silang lumaban sa endgame,” Guiao said.
But his young squad, which looks up to veteran Beau Belga when the going get tough, will be put to the test anew in both the rubber match that is expected to have the trappings of a classic.