TNT, SMB REVVED-UP FOR BATTLE

However they felt about the wild, wild ending of Game 1, it's on to the next for both TNT and San Miguel Beer.

- By ABAC CORDERO

The protagonists completely understand how pivotal the second salvo in this race-to-four duel for the PBA Philippine Cup jewel is going to be, determining whether it's 2-0 or 1-1, and they're hell-bent on meeting their respective agendas by day's end.

The Tropang 5G, on the prowl for the last piece to a rare grand slam in Season 49, want to establish as much distance from SMB after their 99-96 squeaker in Sunday's opener, given the injury issues of key players.

"We're trying to make do managing minutes of so many players," TNT coach Chot Reyes said, in particular citing RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams, who are still not 100 percent despite returning to active duty last game and playing major roles.