AFTER winning the crown two months ago, TNT coach Chot Reyes welcomed his wards’ 18-day break during the recent holidays.
With an injury-riddled squad in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, who will not?
“Buti na lang mayroon kaming mahabang break for us to recover,” Reyes said.
The Tropang Giga last suited up on Dec. 19 in a 109-93 whipping of the Blackwater Bossing and will resume their title bid in the mid-season meet against the Meralco Bolts tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Still dealing with injuries but trying to fight through it are TNT’s main man Jayson Castro, big man JP Erram, and even prolific import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
After resting his hurting knee, Castro played his first game of the conference against Blackwater where he finished with 16 points, including a first-ever career four-point shot.
Erram hurt his back following a bad fall against the Bossing, while Hollis-Jefferson is treating an ankle injury.
“If you noticed, he’s (Hollis-Jefferson) not 100 percent because he has a slight ankle sprain. Hopefully, this break helped him get better and recover,” Reyes said of the two-time best import winner.
The Tropang Giga are also pinning their hopes on former MVP Kelly Williams to rejoin the team that has won its last two outings for an even 2-2 card.
Although dealing with the injury bug, Reyes gave TNT the passing mark—for now.
“When I saw the schedule, sabi ko sana maka 3-1 kami. But 2-2 is not bad,” he said.
The Tropang Giga won it all in the Governors’ Cup with Hollis-Jefferson and finals MVP Castro showing the way with a healthy roster that also featured the likes of Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Williams.
They intend to wind up this time with the same outcome—reach the Promised Land anew.
