A FAILED bid to win a title for a proud franchise like TNT will surely trigger major changes.
“Obviously, not only now, but even when we’re struggling,” Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes said when asked if there would be a revamp in the offing after his wards kissed their semifinal hopes in the PBA Philippine Cup goodbye. “We’ll just sit back, evaluate, take a step back.
“We really need to look at the team and think about what our plans are going to be looking forward to,” he added.
TNT emerged as the fourth seed after a 6-5 card in the eliminations and seemed to have its quarterfinals showdown with No. 5 Rain or Shine in the bag after scoring a 116-99 win in their series opener last May 10.
But the Elasto Painters bounced back with a 121-113 victory in the second game two days later and eked out a 110-109 decision in the do-or-die Game 3 that completed the stunning ouster of the Tropang Giga last Wednesday night.
Reyes’ squad barely advanced to the Last Eight of the last Commissioner’s Cup with a 5-6 slate for eight. The Tropang Giga fell to the twice-to-beat Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals.
TNT acquired Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jewel Ponferrada from separate trades with NLEX and Rain or Shine, respectively, and welcomed the return of gunner Roger Pogoy from a heart ailment.
Add to that the vastly improved rookies Kim Aurin and Henry Galinato and the Tropang Giga appeared as formidable as they were in the past.
