HOW does a powerhouse team like defending champion TNT hurdle adversities? Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes said his charges know sheer individual talent won’t hack it.
“If you really look at our team, I think the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, that’s the thing I appreciate most,” Reyes said. “I think through all the ups and downs of the series the players always came together, huddled, talked among themselves, and found ways to give each other strength, to give each other power.
“I’m a big believer that great teamwork overcomes a lot of mistakes, difficulties, and even bad coaching decisions. Great teamwork withstands those, overcomes those,” he added.
Reyes’ thoughts were on full display last Sunday night after TNT whipped Magnolia 87-74 in Game 6 of their best-of-7 semifinals duel to reach the Big Dance of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The victory made up for the Tropang Giga’s 97-105 loss in Game 5 four days ago and wrapped up the series 4-2.
More importantly, TNT advanced to the best-of-7 finals for the second straight time in the season-opening tourney where it will battle either San Miguel Beer or Meralco.
The Beermen and the Bolts go at it in a rubber match tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game 1 of the finals is tentatively set on Sunday at a venue yet to be announced by the pro league.
Reyes also heaped praises on the Tropang Giga’s vaunted defense that shackled the usually fiery Hotshots.
“It was the players resolving not to allow the other players of the other team outwork them and I think the best manifestation of effort is defense, how well you’ll defend against a super offensive powerhouse like Magnolia,” Reyes said.
“For us to be able to hold them under 80 points was huge for us. In the end it was about effort and the best and most concrete example of that effort is our desire to play defense.”
Veteran playmaker Jayson Castro wound up with a game-high 26 points for TNT, grabbed three rebounds, and issued two assists, while Mikey Williams added 15 markers, six boards, and five dimes.
Roger Pogoy and Glenn Khobuntin also had 14 points each for the Tropang Giga, who are seeking a seventh all-Filipino crown overall.
Ian Sangalang paced Magnolia with 16 and 12, while Calvin Abueva, who fouled out at the 5:13 mark of the fourth canto, had 16 markers and six caroms.
Jio Jalalon and Paul Lee also got 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Hotshots.