A DOUBLE-edged sword.
That’s how coach Chot Reyes of defending champion TNT described his charges’ wait for their opponent in the Big Dance.
“We have to go back and make sure that we’re able to take advantage. There are always two sides to this,” Reyes said. “You can dull or lose your edge, or you can use it as a good recovery and keep sharp.
“So, it’s incumbent upon us now, the coaching staff and the players to use this to prepare as to whoever will be playing. Regardless, parehong malakas iyon,” he added.
Reyes spoke after the Tropang Giga ousted the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 113-95 last Friday to wrap up their best-of-7 semifinals duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The win enabled TNT to close out the series 3-1 and return to the finals opposite the winner between Ginebra and San Miguel Beer.
With a 3-2 edge in the race-to-4 battle, the Kings battled the Beermen last night in Game 6, raring to bag the last slot in the championship finale of the season-opening tilt.
A Ginebra triumph will forge a titular rematch with Tropang Giga, while a victory by SMB will drag the series to a sudden-death Game 7this Wednesday also at the Big Dome.
TNT’s calling card–defense — will be tested anew by either the Kings or the Beermen in the best-of-7 finals.
“There’s no secret to our game. We rally hang our hats on our ability to stop the other team,” Reyes said. “So, when we make stops, we give ourselves a lot of opportunities.”
Reigning best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shone anew for the Tropang Giga with a near triple-double 0f 36 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists while Roger Pogoy added 19 markers on three three-pointers.
Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana also combined for 22 points for the Tropang Giga.
Reyes is convinced the respite will serve TNT in good stead.
“I like this position especially to be able to rest those with injuries like Jayson (Castro),” Reyes of his veteran playmaker who sat out the series-clinching win due to a groin injury.
This early, Hollis-Jefferson has fired a warning to the team they will take on in the finals.
“We’re ready. All we can do is enjoy ourselves. We got a win and we’re going to the finals,” he said. “But that’s not the end for us. We want to be champions at the end of the day.”
