Coach Chot Reyes offered to provide facts rather than clap back at those doubting TNT’s capability of winning another PBA title—the third this season to complete a Grand Slam—without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“I think I’m tied with [San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria] for the most number of all-Filipino championships among active coaches, right?” Reyes, who has won the Philippine Cup six times, asked. “That answers your question.”
The mercurial coach simply gave his take, as critics have been quick to say that the Tropang 5G’s previous titles were due solely through the skills and talents of Hollis-Jefferson.
RHJ, because of his brilliance, already has three Best Import awards and has put TNT on the cusp of completing what would only be the league’s sixth Triple Crown sweep.
“Asa sa import (import-dependent)” was the common theme among basketball pages eager for views and engagement and netizens on social media, especially early in the Philippine Cup when TNT opened 0-3.
But Reyes and his gang would turn things around, clinch a playoff spot, overcame Magnolia’s twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters and beat Rain or Shine anew in the semis behind a collection of stars and role players.
Fringe players
“One thing we always stress is that it takes a team effort to win these games,” Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser told the Inquirer. “We had some guys coming in and out with injuries and who’s gonna play.”
“But I know anybody who gets the opportunity is gonna be ready.”
Jordan Heading and Ganuelas-Rosser shone in the playoffs, while fringe players like Kim Aurin and Brian Heruela had their share of valuable contributions.
And then there are the usual mainstays like Calvin Oftana, Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin manning things, as TNT got this far even while missing RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams in key stretches and with Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro not on the playoff roster.
Depth may be the deciding factor in the Finals that features the stars like Oftana, Heading and Pogoy if he finally returns from his hamstring injury, for TNT and June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez for San Miguel.
The Beermen, on paper, hold the advantage in terms of talent and manpower, with Game 7 against Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, where Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and Rodney Brondial stepping up and Chris Ross flashing his old form on both ends being a great example.
Playing a role
Mo Tautuaa can also provide the complimentary role for Fajardo in the shaded lane while the likes of Kris Rosales and Jeron Teng can be rabbits out of Austria’s deep hat.
“We work hard in that second group,” Tautuaa also told the Inquirer. “When we come out there, we don’t want to kinda lose our lead, or anything like that. We want to continue to push, work hard and be effective in that situation.
“So it’s about bringing that next stage from the second group.”
San Miguel is aiming to draw first blood in its own mission to regain its place as kingpin of the most important conference of the season, serving as a minor backdrop to TNT’s Grand Slam quest.
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“We’ve been in the all-Filipino Finals for most of the last eight to 10 years and everybody expects us to be here” said Austria before claiming the underdog label.
“We’re not really that strong a team but we still enjoy that label. So we will play up to that label.”
