TNT coach Chot Reyes pointed to one glaring aspect of his charges’ game missing and told heavily in their first five outings–effort.
In two crucial moments against the gritty Meralco Bolts, the Tropang Giga battled back with big hearts yesterday.
Showing it wanted it more, TNT edged Meralco 92-90 to get back on track in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
With TNT down 86-87, Tropang Giga star Calvin Oftana bravely challenged the defense of Bolts big man Raymond Almazan and boomed in a left corner three-pointer that gave them an 89-87 buffer with 2:07 to go.
Understandably, everyone from the Tropang Giga bench erupted in frenzy–except for Reyes who kept a blank face and folded his arms.
One can’t blame the TNT tactician for his nonchalant approach.
“We said our problems are not technical. It’s the intangibles, we just let it at that at last Saturday’s practice,” Reyes said. “Today, I just asked the players how much they wanted to win.
“If they’re winning, put in the effort and beat a great, defensive, and physical team like Meralco. Apparently, the players responded,” he added.
Gunner Roger Pogoy typified the Tropang Giga’s grit with a block on Meralco guard Aaron Black’s fastbreak layup try, only 7.2 ticks to go.
The Bolts retained possession and had a chance to pull the rug from under TNT, but Jolo Mendoza’s last-gasp triple attempt missed at the buzzer.
A slew of heroes rose for the Tropang Giga, foremost among them Oftana, who missed a double-double of 26 points and nine rebounds, while Jayson Castro chipped in 15 markers and six boards.
Pogoy, Kelly Williams, and Henry Galinato also had 11 points each as TNT redeemed itself from two straight setbacks, counting an embarrassing 96-112 loss to NorthPort three days ago and improved to 3-3.
Meralco came off an 86-83 decision over Terrafirma last April 3 and fell to 3-4.
The Tropang Giga took a 49-36 lead on an Oftana trey at the 1:21 mark of the second quarter before they settled for a 49-40 cushion at the break.
TNT still enjoyed a 73-68 advantage heading into the payoff period.
A Chris Newsome basket made it 87-84 for the Bolts in the final 3:24 before Oftana and Castro combined in the endgame.
Aaron Black paced Meralco with 16 points, eight caroms, and four assists, while Cliff Hodge added 16 and five.
Allein Maliksi and Chris Banchero also combined for 21 points for the Bolts.
“Our losses to NorthPort and Blackwater, we were simply outworked that’s why we cannot rely on our talent or roster alone,” Reyes said. “We really have to outwork the other teams.
A staple of this team is our hard work.”
