Some dreams turned into reality, and some remain as is.
Regardless, there’s no stopping the most prominent names in the PBA today — particularly from the TNT Tropang Giga —- from naming their dream NBA match-ups.
Before the Tropang Giga’s Game 2 semifinal clash against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, they told One Sports which superstars the quartet of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Poy Erram want to face.
RHJ: Kobe Bryant
Being compared to the late-great Kobe Bryant is no easy feat.
But with his looks, moves, and killer mentality, RHJ is the closest thing the PBA fans can see of the five-time champion’s playing style.
Before playing overseas basketball, the two-time PBA Best Import spent six seasons in the NBA and suited up for the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers.
In fact, the do-it-all import faced Bryant and the LA Lakers in a regular season match-up with the former still with the Nets.
“I went against Kobe [Bryant] when I was playing for Brooklyn [Nets]. I remember guarding him at the top of the key. He passed the ball, so I felt that stopped him,” RHJ said.
RR Pogoy: Luka Doncic
Just like RHJ, Pogoy played against his idol in Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter and Serbia team captain Bogdan Bogdanovic.
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It was back in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China when the Cebuano gunman, then representing the Philippines, tangled with a then 27-year-old Bogdanovic and the Serbian squad.
But one name the three-time PBA champion also picked? Luka Doncic.
“Nakalaban ko na si Bogdan Bogdanovic. Siguro si Luka [Doncic],” the 32-year-old guard revealed.
Calvin Oftana: Luka Doncic, LeBron James
Speaking of Doncic, the Slovenian superstar’s new-found partnership with four-time NBA champion LeBron James ushered a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers.
What was once a dream pairing turned into reality as LA found a successor to James who is in the twilight of his career.Given a chance, Oftana did not hesitate to name the two superstars as his dream opponents.
“Dalawa sila. Si Lebron James at Luka [Doncic]. Sila ‘yung mga player na tinitingala ko knowing na how dominant they are sa NBA,” the Gilas Pilipinas gunner said.
Poy Erram: Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Anthony Davis
From the big men of the past to a modern-day stalwart, Erram listed three prominent names on his list.
“Si Dirk, matangkad siya tska alam niya kung paano gamitin yung height niya. Si KG naman, [‘yung] intensity [niya] and ‘yung leadership niya. Kay Anthony Davis, more on [pagiging] finesse and [‘yung] inside-out [game] niya.”
Nowitzki and Garnett are former champions who defined the 2000s era of basketball, with the former behind his shooting prowess and the latter being a two-way force.
Davis, meanwhile, is the quintessential big man capable of scoring either inside or outside while also playing top-notch defense.
Watch the full video here:
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad)
