TNT fields revamped ‘On Tour’ roster after resting stars; Lions get floor time


TNT big man Poy Erram. –PBA IMAGES

TNT large man Poy Erram. –PBA IMAGES

Coach Jojo Lastimosa admitted it was a problem placing collectively TNT’s lineup within the PBA On Tour.

So don’t be stunned if the present roster appears manner completely different from the staff that pulled off a profitable title run within the current Governors’ Cup.

“We have to relaxation our vets,” Lastimosa stated after the Tropang Giga debuted within the exhibition sequence on Friday with a 99-90 loss to the NorthPort Batang Pier at Ynares Middle in Antipolo Metropolis.

These anticipating a glimpse of core gamers like Mikey Williams and Jayson Castro might need to be reasonable as TNT has dominated out their presence at some stage in the On Tour for numerous causes.

1o gamers

“We now have to relaxation Jayson as a lot as we are able to … in addition to Kelly [Williams]. However they do present up in follow,” stated Lastimosa. “Mikey is rehabbing his Achilles in america, RR [Pogoy] is in Cebu and Calvin [Oftana] is making an attempt to get again his weight after his harm within the Southeast Asian Video games.

“Mainly, we don’t have our beginning 5,” added Lastimosa.

TNT solely had 10 gamers in the course of the contest, together with Poy Erram, who later within the recreation twisted his proper ankle and will miss at the least per week. Glenn Khobuntin and Kib Montalbo are the opposite TNT regulars on the On Tour roster.

Roster holes

Even Lastimosa shouldn’t be going to be hands-on for the On Tour, tapping assistant Sandy Arespacochaga to name the pictures for a TNT squad infused with 4 gamers from San Beda College to fill roster holes.

Peter Alfaro, Clifford Jopia and Damie Cuntapay noticed motion in a Tropang Giga jersey for the On Tour debut whereas JV Gallego is anticipated to comply with go well with.

“It’s an enormous factor for the San Beda program and on the identical time for the gamers to allow them to get some expertise earlier than the PBA Draft,” stated assistant Yuri Escueta, who coaches San Beda.

“[W]e’re very fortunate, particularly the gamers that they got an awesome alternative to play within the On Tour,” added Escueta.



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