PAYBACK time for TNT Tropang Giga.

After dropping a 75-93 setback to the Chiba Jets in the opener of their home-and-away battle in the EASL (East Asia Super League), the Tropang Giga hope to redeem themselves when they meet the Jets on All Saints Day (Nov. 1) at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.

TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa hopes to get added firepower going to the 7 p.m. encounter as Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Calvin Oftana and veteran big man Jewel Ponferada will finally suit up for the team.

Both Oftana and Ponferada were not around when the two teams clashed last Oct. 11.

“We played really well in the first half. We stayed with them, both offense and defense. But in the second half, we lost our stamina,” said Lastimosa, referring to the TNT-Chiba game three weeks ago.

TNT matched Chiba’s firepower during the first half, but lost steam when the Jets further stepped on the pedal gas in the third period on the way to the 18-point win.

The Tropang Giga will again parade Quincy Miller and a well-rested Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who was coming off a stint with the Jordan national team in the FIBA World Cup and 19th Asian Games.

Hollis-Jefferson who steered TNT to the PBA Governors’ Cup championship early this year, finished with 15 points, but was held to just 22 percent shooting, including an 0-for-9 attempt from beyond the arc.

“I feel like with the two imports that we have, we have a better chance of competing here,” added Lastimosa, whose team hasn’t won in three EASL games.

The Jets arrived in Manila on Tuesday, brimming with confidence behind their 2-0 slate for the top spot in Group A.

The B. League team is coming in full force led by imports Justyn Mutts and DJ Stephens, together with top gun Yuki Togashi.

The 30-year-old Togashi, who once suited up for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League, was held to just two points during the game against TNT.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya