The TNT Tropang 5G have an embarrassment of riches. Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy are arguably top three in their positions. Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading are top six or seven easily at the point. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser is starting to round into form, while Kelly Williams continues to defy Father Time. Kevin Ferrer, Jio Jalalon, and Glenn Khobuntin make for a terrific bench mob. Then, there’s also Henry Galinato Jr., a young big who’s beginning to figure things out.
On Friday, in fact, Galinato played his best game yet for TNT—a 16-point, 9-rebound off-the-bench effort in the Tropa’s 130-92 triumph over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers. It was a special night for Galinato, all right, only it isn’t for the man himself. But he’s definitely thankful that he’s getting more and more opportunities in PBA Season 50.
“It’s just like any other game for me, to be honest. I’m just giving what the team needs me to do…,” he told reporters after the game. “I’m just trying to gain my confidence. The last conference I was injured most of the time. This conference my confidence has been building up, and I’m grateful for Coach Chot, all the other coaches, and my teammates that they trust me and give me the opportunity to play.”
With Poy Erram likely to miss at least the entire PBA Philippine Cup, Galinato better be ready for more.
Erram Among Henry Galinato Jr.’s Mentors
Henry Galinato playing well shouldn’t come as a surprise if you think about it. TNT has got three exceptional bigs in Kelly Williams, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and the aforementioned Poy Erram, which means the former UP Fighting Maroon has three exceptional mentors—with each bringing a different skill set to the table.
That privilege certainly isn’t lost on Galinato.
“They’re great,” Galinato said of TNT’s veteran trio of big men. “Brandon’s a mobile big man, Kelly’s a veteran. Poy’s there as well. He’s not practicing yet, but he’s there teaching me. But having Brandon and Kelly and going up against them—they’re a lot taller than me, but that doesn’t stop me from giving my best effort. I don’t really see the height, I just wanna give my best…”
Slowly but surely, that give-my-best approach is paying dividends for Henry Galinato Jr. And if he continues to lean on his vets for guidance, his best could be even better.
