Heading, Nieto give TNT Grand Slam bid much-needed optimism, excitement

There’s a sense of optimism and excitement within the TNT camp with the arrival of both Jordan Heading and Mike Nieto, which the team hopes will be a shot in the arm of the Tropang 5G’s quest to complete a historic PBA Grand Slam.

“Can’t say they’re disappointed,” team manager Jojo Lastimosa said when The Inquirer asked about TNT’s mood following the separate acquisitions of Heading and Nieto from Converge.

TNT hopes to ride that wave on Friday against struggling Blackwater, favored to win a sixth consecutive game after a 0-3 start and create needed momentum before its marquee clash with Barangay Ginebra two nights later.

Both players have been activated by the Tropang 5G ahead of the 5 p.m. contest at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, but there’s still no assurance that they will see action, let alone get significant.

“We activated both new players, but playing them immediately has not been decided yet, especially Jordan whom we are approaching with caution,” Lastimosa said.

Heading has been nursing a back injury since he last played for Converge in the quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup, while Nieto has also not been fielded this conference prior to his move to TNT via unrestricted free agency.

Crucial nightcap

There’s been whispers that TNT may save Heading for the Ginebra matchup, which will see two teams squaring off for the first time since the dramatic Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals that went into overtime.

The two joined TNT’s practice for the first time last Wednesday, and were welcomed with open arms by their new teammates. In fact, Calvin Oftana even tried to make Heading an honorary “Bisaya,” a reference to the number of Tropang 5G players from Visayas and Mindanao.

The potential Heading-Nieto debut has somewhat taken much of the spotlight away from the crucial 7:30 p.m. nightcap between Magnolia and NLEX, with the winner taking sole possession of the lead and perhaps a virtual twice-to-beat berth.

Magnolia and NLEX hold identical 7-2 slates after contrasting results last Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum as the Hotshots fell to sister team Barangay Ginebra while the Road Warriors rolled past the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

Phoenix downed NorthPort, 118-107, in Wednesday’s game at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Friday’s games hold great importance in the race for the top four seats that also guarantee a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

San Miguel Beer is running third at 6-2 while Ginebra and Rain or Shine are tied at 6-3, a win-loss slate TNT looks to equal.

Converge has an outside chance at 6-4 even as defending champion Meralco has the same predicament after an up-and-down conference that resulted in a 6-5 slate.