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Japeth Aguilar throws the dagger of an assist from LA Tenorio during overtime. —PHOTOS COURTESY OF PBA IMAGES
Very few teams go too high or too low on Game 1 of a seven-game championship series, unless that game hits a double hit.
That’s exactly what happened to TNT, which lost 100-94 in overtime to Barangay Geneva in the opening of the PBA Philippines Cup Finals on Sunday, and then announced the next day that it could be without its best. weapon for Game 2.
Ray Parks Jr., TNT’s top scorer and now the tournament’s top MVP candidate, is highly doubtful for Game 2 after seemingly aggravating a calf strain that kept him out of the team’s opening game in the bubble. .
The team’s physical therapist, Dex Aseron, confirmed the development to the Inquirer on Tuesday afternoon.
But it matters little to coach Tim Cone, whose Barangay Geneva will seek a 2-0 lead in the race to four in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF).
Cone assumption
“The fact that Parks is hesitant to play does not change our thinking or our preparation. We’re [continuing] assume he will play, ”Cone said in a message to the Inquirer, shortly after the team’s practice at the AUF on Tuesday afternoon.
“In our minds, Game 1 was separated by a free throw. Although we are grateful for the victory, we are not happy, “he added.
“We know that we are going to have to play a much better and much tighter game if we are to be successful in this series.”
Parks split his free throws down the stretch, not giving TNT a three-point cushion and paving the way for Arvin Tolentino to tie the game at 92 to force an extra period.
Parks finished with 20 points, five steals, four rebounds and four assists and was TNT’s biggest weapon on both ends of the court. Entering the playoffs, Parks led his team in scoring and was No. 2 in rebounds and assists. If Game 2 is lost, TNT would be looking for a big hole to fill.
And coach Bong Ravena feels he has the pieces to plug that hole.
‘Head on’
“Our morale should show no sign of sinking,” he told reporters here. “We have to deal with [the situation], face it head-on. “
Parks missed just one game due to that calf injury and came back strong, scoring 40 points in his return to action. But the injury could be a little worse now.
“It’s also wear, considering the level he’s playing,” Ravena said.
Ravenna has the likes of RR Pogoy, Poy Eram and Jayson Castro, who is also nursing a sore twin, to take over the production and also keep the Tropang Giga sure they can level the series.
More importantly, TNT hopes Troy Rosario will emerge from what has been a losing streak in the playoffs. Rosario averaged 12.2 points and eight rebounds during the elimination phase. In the semifinals, he averaged just 6.6 points and appeared to have a Game 1 break, scoring six points in the opening period. But he only had two points in the second quarter and missed two baskets before running out of touchdowns in the second half.
TNT already has its back to the wall as it is: According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, the last five times Cone has won Game 1 of the Finals, his charges have advanced to claim the championship.
Tropang Giga will only grease that march if Game 2 yields. INQ
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