WHEN the dust settled, TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa walked out of the PhilSports Arena in Pasig with a newfound hope. His charges, after all, have caught the last ride to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
“It’s something that we had to earn. We know we’ve been struggling, and it’s not something that we were avoiding,” Lastimosa said after the Tropang Giga ripped the Phoenix Fuel Masters 116-96. “It’s a fact of life that we’re struggling in this conference. A lot of guys were hurt and nawala pa si Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson), nagpalit kami ng import in the middle of the conference.
“But we’re hoping that we can fix our problems defensively going into the quarterfinals against Magnolia,” he added.
TNT’s bid in the season-opening tourney does not get any easier, with the Tropang Giga, who finished the eliminations with a 5-6 record for the No. 8 seed, taking on the No. 1 and twice-to-beat Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals that kick off tomorrow at the same venue.
Lastimosa is hoping TNT can at least forge a knockout duel to give itself a fighting chance against a Magnolia side that won nine games and only lost twice in the eliminations.
“Magnolia’s been number one the whole season, and they’re a tough team to crack, but I just hope that we can improve our game little by little,” Lastimosa, who got a near triple double from import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson with 35 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, said. “Hopefully, we can have a really good competition against Magnolia.”
Calvin Oftana backed up Hollis-Jefferson with 19 markers, three boards, and two dimes, while Kim Aurin added 18 and three for the Tropang Giga.
Brian Heruela and Rogor Pogoy, who returned after three months due to a heart condition, had 14 and 11 points, respectively, as TNT rebounded from a 112-119 loss to Rain or Shine last Jan. 5.
The Tropang Giga’s triumph also sent the NLEX Road Warriors packing with a 4-7 slate.
The Fuel Masters, coming off a 93-83 win over the Meralco Bolts six days ago, wound up in a three-team tie with the San Miguel Beermen and defending champions Ginebra Kings at 8-3.
SMB took the No. 2 spot, while Ginebra emerged as the third-ranked squad due to the winner over the other rule, leaving Phoenix at fourth.
The Fuel Masters, like the Beermen and Kings, will also enjoy a win-once incentive when they clash with the Bolts.
Reinforcement Johnathan Williams carried the fight for Phoenix with 21 points and 14 caroms, and six feeds, while Jayjay Alejandro had 12 markers.
Tyler Tio and Sean Manganti also had 10 each for the Fuel Masters.
Despite having their backs against the wall, Lastimosa is optimistic they can hack it with the return of some of their injured players in Pogoy and Jayson Castro.
“We’re just happy to see him. The first prognosis is six months, he’s gonna be out, but he’s back in three months,” Lastimosa said, referring to Pogoy, who recovered from myocarditis– a condition that weakens the heart and reduces its ability to pump blood last September.
“That’s great news for all of us, not only from a career standpoint, but just for Roger being healthy again.”
Pogoy showed a big heart by overcoming his ailment. It’s the Tropang Giga’s turn now to show they also have big hearts.
