TNT guns for 5th win vs NLEX

THE chase for the coveted playoff berth continues as streaking TNT battles slumping NLEX in the main game of the PBA Season 42 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.The Tropang Giga, who had a 0-2 conference start, shoot for their fifth straight win against the Road Warriors (3-5) at 7:30 p.m.The 5 p.m. curtain features Blackwater (1-7) and winless Terrafirma (0-9).TNT chalked up its fourth straight win last week after squeaking past a fighting Converge five, 98-96.Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will again be leading the way for the Tropang Giga, who struggled to get their rhythm early this conference.Veterans Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac form TNT's solid local core, which will have to contend with an NLEX side that has lost its last four assignments since a 3-1 start.Fighting for its playoff life, the Road Warriors will have to muster a total team effort led by top Best Import candidate Mike Watkins, along with do-it-all guard Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon and fit-again Kevin Alas.Meanwhile, Terrafirma looks to end its nine-game losing skid to begin the conference against Blackwater.Terrence Romeo finally, saw action for the first time for the Dyip, contributing three points and two assists in minimal action though Terrafirma dropped a narrow 89-84 decision to Magnolia last week.Romeo's stint also marked his reunion with Filipino-American guard Stanley Pringle since their backcourt partnership years back at NorthPort.The Bossing are in dire need of a win as they enter the game with a 1-7 record, having been blown out of the court by the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Sunday, 86-63.PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III said Blackwater's 63-point output is a league season-low, or since Ginebra scored 64 points in a loss against Rain or Shine in August in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, last year.High-scoring import George King will need more local support if Blackwater seeks to win, though Filipino American rookie Sedrick Barefield has been in and out of the lineup due to an injury.Barefield erupted for 33 points while King added a 32-point, 14-rebound double-double in Blackwater's 114-98 triumph against Meralco last Dec. 12, marking the team's only win so far this conference.