MAHINDRA hopes to carry the momentum of a two-game winning streak when it takes on TNT Katropa in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup today at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
And to do that, the Floodbusters must be bring their A-game in the 4:15 p.m. match against a potent Katropa side, which is itching to bounce back from a 77-88 loss to the Star Hotshots and 110-98 to NLEX in their last two outings.
“Our team now has the level of confidence of shooting the ball. The guys are really committed to play hard. We must sustain this series of wins to make it possible of playing in the playoffs,” Mahindra Head Coach Chris Gavina said.
The Floodbusters lost their first give games of the conference, but won two straight—97-93 over Blackwater on Christmas Day and 105-92 over Meralco last week.
At 2-5 won-loss record, Mahindra clung to a chance at advancing to the quarterfinal round.
The Floodbuster rode the hot-shooting hands of undrafted Jose Rizal University star Philip Paniamogan, who scattered 25 points—including seven three-pointers—when they brought down the Bolts.
Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario and Ranidel de Ocampo, on the other hand, have to step up even more for TNT if the Katropa wanted to go out of the two-game rut.
In the day’s other game at 7 p.m., the Phoenix Fuel Masters (4-4) face the struggling NLEX Road Warriors (2-6).
Phoenix and TNT are locked with three other teams at the fifth spot, including Barangay Ginebra, Alaska and Star.
San Miguel Beer, with eight wins and one loss, continued to look good atop the standings, while GlobalPort and Rain or Shine hold 5-3 records at second place. Blackwater is at solo at third with five wins and three loses.