The TNT Tropang 5G are a win away from another PBA Finals stint, and limiting their turnovers is a major reason.
For Game 5, the Tropa committed only 11 turnovers on their way to a hard‑earned 103-95 victory to put them on the cusp of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. And, according to TNT coach Chot Reyes, that’s exactly how the coaching staff wanted it.
“Our key coming to this game was to get good shots because the last game we had so many turnovers and we gave up 26 points off turnovers,” Reyes pointed out in the postgame press conference after Game 5. “So, you cannot defend a turnover. That’s very hard. For us to help our defense, we had to make sure that we get good shots. That means we’re taking shots, [and] we’re not throwing the ball or turning the ball over.”
Reyes is right. TNT lost the turnover battle in its Game 4 loss, coughing up the ball 15 times to Meralco’s 12. Crucially, the Bolts turned those turnovers into 26 points, including 12 in transition.
Less Turnovers for TNT Equals Better Defense
Limiting turnovers, Reyes added, helped the Tropa turn Game 5 into a half‑court battle, which is precisely what TNT wants because it gives that stout defense a better chance to lock down.
“Except for the two turnovers of Jason I thought we really took care. We got good shots,” Reyes further explained. “We did not make everything, but the key was if we’re able to get good shots we prevent Meralco from running the fast break where they’re very deadly. And I think in the end that allowed our defense, our half‑court defense, to hold steady and give us opportunities to score—specifically Chris McCullough.”
That’s exactly what happened. Much of Game 5 was played at a slower, more deliberate pace. And, down the stretch, McCullough took over the TNT offense, scoring 12 of his game‑high 42 points in the last eight minutes of the game.
TNT taking good care of the ball helped set up that furious finish for sure.
