The TNT Tropang 5G used the extended PBA Governors’ Cup break to their full advantage—and now they’re winners of two straight and looking like a championship favorite once more.
That’s the message TNT sent on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where they got the better of the mighty San Miguel Beermen, 116-98, thanks to a spectacular second-half effort marked by fluid, on-point offense and tenacious, unforgiving defense. For Chot Reyes, the Tropa’s strong start to the PBA restart is simply a product of the team’s intense preparations during the long break.
“Our plan is mainly to win because we might not be able to make it to the playoffs if we don’t win. So, that’s our target. We really want to win,” Reyes told reporters after TNT’s sixth win in ten games this conference. “I thought the key was the practice during the break. There were very good, intense practices. And I think you’re seeing the result now from the good practices that we had during the break.”
The results are two wins—both by blowout—and a seeming return to form for the defending champs, who struggled to a 4-4 record prior to the pause in hostilities. Now, the Tropang 5G are at 6-4 and just a game behind San Miguel.
TNT Outhustles San Miguel
Against the Beermen, specifically, the Tropa cranked up the intensity—way up—at just the right time, flipping the switch so to speak in the second half after San Miguel took a 65-60 lead in the first half. As a result, TNT held its rival to only 33 points while scoring 56 for a 23-point turnaround and the win.
“If we will just match their effort, we cannot win. Our only chance, the only way we could give ourselves a chance is if we outhustle them. And I thought we were able to do that tonight,” Reyes pointed out. “And when that happens, things fall into place. Number one, our defense in the second half—we held them to 33 points in the second half. That was crucial for us… The offense wasn’t our problem, it was really our defense. Luckily we were able to adjust…”
The Tropa certainly made the needed adjustments on Saturday, outhustling and outplaying San Miguel in the game’s final 24 minutes to turn things around completely. That TNT could do both against arguably the top team in the PBA probably has something to do with those good, intense practices Reyes had alluded to.
Reyes and TNT will look to formalize their spot in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, October 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where they will take on the Macau Giant Pandas.
