ONE would think getting the job done and hacking it via a fiery fightback from a 20-point deficit would make TNT coach Chot Reyes giddy.
Far from it.
“We’re still a work in progress. We’re very far, I think, from the elite teams in the league. We talked a lot about it as a team, but we haven’t played a complete game yet. (Against) Ginebra, we played a terrible first half and a great second half,” Reyes said. “When you play teams, quality teams like that, it’s hard to win games. The same thing tonight, terrible first half, great second half.
“So, we have to continue working and fixing, finding solutions to be able to play a full 48 minutes,” he added.
Reyes spoke after the Tropang Giga turned back the Phoenix Fuel Masters 108-101 last Wednesday night to rediscover their winning ways in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The hard-earned win served as a big rebound to TNT’s numbing 83-87 loss to the Kings last Friday and allowed the Tropang Giga to rise to 5-4 for fifth.
Phoenix failed to sustain the grit it showed in a 122-77 rout of NLEX six days ago and slipped to 3-6 in the season-ending tourney.
While close duels could work wonders for his wards, Reyes said they must advance to the playoffs first.
“I think to really win these close games is going to matter later on if we can get there (deep in the playoffs). The problem is, can we get there,” Reyes said.
“If we are playing… unless we are able to string together a 48-minute game, we’re not going to be able to get in a position where we can.”
TNT star Roger Pogoy proved to be a bane for the Fuel Masters with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Calvin Oftana backed him up with 19 markers, nine boards and three assists.
Kelly Williams, Kim Aurin, and Glenn Khobuntin also had 17, 12, and 11 points, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
Reyes insisted consistency will spell the big difference.
“Like I said, even before thinking about these things, we have to figure out what we need to do first to get to those true 48-minute games,” he said. “So, I think it’s going to help us down the line if we can get there. The most important thing for us is to get there first, that’s what we should focus on first.”
Jason Perkins paced Phoenix with 26 points and 10 caroms, while Jayjay Alejandro had 16 markers and four dimes.
Rookies Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero, and Kent Salado also got 13, 11, and 10, respectively for the Fuel Masters.
