Most teams would have been overwhelmed by the burden of a twice‑to‑win disadvantage. But the TNT Tropang 5G isn’t like most teams. Most teams also don’t have a coach like Chot Reyes—arguably one of the best local hoops has seen.
Chot Reyes Digs Deep
With TNT needing to beat the top‑seeded NLEX Road Warriors twice to advance to the semis, the multi‑titled mentor worked his magic once more. His first order of business was instilling a positive mindset in the face of adversity.
“We didn’t look at it as pressure. We looked at it with excitement,” Reyes told reporters when asked about the challenge of needing to win twice. “We reframed the way we looked at the twice‑to‑beat instead of making it a pressure for us. My first words in practice were, we have nothing to lose. Twice to win, we have nothing to lose. Let’s just go all out…”
The Tropa, with Chot Reyes steering the wheel, responded with ferocity, taking NLEX’s best shots in their first game to escape with a 96‑93 victory. They were even better in the winner‑take‑all on Saturday, overwhelming the No. 1 team in the eliminations on their way to a semis‑clinching blowout.
Rest Above All Else
Now, TNT is back in familiar territory—the semifinals. The Tropang 5G will face the Meralco Bolts, whom TNT beat handily in the semis of the PBA Philippine Cup. Even so, Reyes knows the challenge will be just as tough.
“So, now it’s going to be a different kind of pressure,” Reyes admitted. “But regardless of where we are, there’s no easy opponent here in the PBA. So the important thing is to make sure that we are emotionally, mentally, as well as physically rested and ready for a tough Meralco team.”
Given Chot Reyes’ history, expect his Tropa to be ready for war.
