2016 PBA GC SF: 1 TNT vs 4 Meralco

Ready to rumble
(Photo credit to the owner)

A magnificently blonde-haired, former 16-time world wrestling champion was once famously quoted as saying: “to be the man, you have to beat THE man.”

The above is something that we feel best captures the Meralco Bolts’ current state: in order for them to achieve PBA royalty they must first go through their big brothers: TNT Katropa—the the crown jewel among their owner’s three PBA franchises. While the Bolts have spent the majority of the season trying to start a winning culture, TNT has managed to remain near the top of the standings each conference despite battling injuries (Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo) and some on-court chemistry issues (incorporating their prized rookies, the messed up/ redundant frontline, finding a backup for Castro, etc.).

Some folks call this one “TNT A vs TNT B,” with all the TNT “discards” over at the Bolts’ front: Jimmy Alapag, Jared Dillinger, John Ferriols, Rabeh Al Hussaini including Coach Norman Black.

Here are the telling match-ups: