The TNT Tropang 5G got a big boost in their 114-80 win on Saturday against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers with the return of RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading, who both missed a couple of games due to injuries. Before that, TNT also welcomed back big men Poy Erram and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
A Healthier Tropa, Finally
Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes admitted he’s relieved to finally have a fuller roster for the second round of eliminations in the PBA Governors’ Cup. Still, the multititled tactician remains cautious given the strength of the teams in TNT’s group.
“Obviously, it makes me very happy [getting players back],” Reyes said after the Titan Ultra game. “It makes the job easier. Easier lang, but it’s by no means an easy situation because you saw all of our opponents here in our group. They’re all tough teams. So, having a full complement helps a lot in our depth. At least, I think in our game, when we lost against Terrafirma [Dyip] in overtime and even in our last game against NLEX [Road Warriors], we really ran out of gas in the end. Hopefully, with a full roster, we can finish games better.”
TNT began the conference without injured stars Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Poy Erram, alongside Kelly Williams, who was attending to a personal matter. Then, just as Erram and Ganuelas-Rosser returned, the Tropa lost Heading and Pogoy to shoulder and knee injuries, respectively. Saturday marked the first time this conference that TNT fielded Erram, Ganuelas-Rosser, Heading, and Pogoy together.
Reyes Lauds TNT Shock Troopers for Holding Things Down
While his stars are returning, Reyes made sure to credit the role players who kept TNT afloat in the “Group of Death.”
“Shout out to the guys who have been holding the fort down until the injured players could come back. They’ve done a hell of a job. Wala na ako mahihingi sa trinabahong nila Rey [Nambatac], nila Kim [Aurin], Sean [Quitevis], Glenn [Khobuntin], all of those guys. Even Paul Varrila and Henry [Galinato]. So, when everybody else comes back, I think that bodes well for us.”
TNT, though, isn’t fully healthy yet as it still won’t have Oftana, Castro, and Williams when they rematch NLEX later today. But the Tropa is getting there, and with a long break looming, Reyes is likely getting back his full roster when action resumes in October.
That means the Group of Death—and the rest of the league—should be on alert.
