THE injuries have been piling up for TNT, but the wins it had posted against Magnolia in their PBA Philippine Cup championship series have helped a lot in dulling the pain.
The Tropang Giga could make the Hotshots hurt more if they close out the best-of-seven duel tonight at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
A cruising 106-89 victory in Game 4 last Wednesday gave TNT a 3-1 series lead and two cracks at copping its sixth crown in the import-less tournament and eighth league title in all, aside from ending a championship drought since its 2015 Commissioner’s Cup triumph.
Tropa coach Chot Reyes is also on the verge of moving alongside Jong Uichico at fourth overall with nine championships, but knows that should prove to be a monumental task against an opponent still very capable of extending the series.
“We just need to do whatever it takes,” the 58-year-old mentor said. “And we know the final one, the closer, is the most difficult one.”
Magnolia has already shown it could rise to the challenge.
To avoid falling into a 0-3 hole in which only one team has ever dug itself out of in the league’s 46-year history, the Hotshots fashioned a 106-98 win last Sunday.
Whatever momentum Magnolia gained from that breakthrough victory quickly vanished last Wednesday, however, when it got outscored 15-33 in the second quarter that turned a 24-all tie into a 57-39 bulge.
With its foe unable to muster enough of a counter TNT went on to lead by as much as 70-45 and Magnolia would come no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
TNT’s latest win could prove costly, however, as veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams both suffered injuries late in the match.
Castro rolled his right ankle after stepping on Magnolia counterpart Mark Barroca’s foot while Williams, who suffered a back injury in the series opener, appeared to have aggravated the injury during a rebounding battle with Calvin Abueva.
Even if the two are able to play, they would join Poy Erram and Troy Rosario among TNT’s walking wounded.
Erram has been playing with a fractured cheekbone he suffered in the semis series against San Miguel Beer while Rosario still played last Wednesday despite a dislocated left pinky and a reported spinal shock following his bad fall in Game 3.
“Shout out to Troy,” said Reyes of his forward who started and wound up with five points, three rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes.
“I thought by him being there, the message of courage was going to rub off on his teammates,” added Reyes. “So really, great heart was shown by Troy here. And I think everyone followed.”
Reyes now just hopes his charges, depleted or not, would continue to muster the game needed to seal the deal as early as tonight. “As I said, it’s the Finals,” he said.
“Teams just have to find a way to play through injuries,” added Reyes. “We’ve been doing it.”
