The TNT Tropang 5G. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The TNT Tropang 5G are eyeing redemption in the season opening PBA Philippine Cup after falling short of the much-coveted grand slam.
As TNT remains hungry to bounce back, the team made some key acquisitions in Kevin Ferrer and Tyrus Hill to help them in their campaign.
Head coach Chot Reyes remains optimistic of what Ferrer and Hill can bring to the table, but he pointed out that other teams also made moves of their own before the season.
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"We all know how much every team has upgraded and because we didn't have a first or second round pick we were kind of limited in that regard and like the other teams. But if you look back at last season, I thought we performed pretty well, so it's a matter of continuing that improvement," Reyes said.
The champion mentor lauded the team for achieving two of the three championships last season — the Commissioner's Cup and the Governors' Cup.
Despite these titles and a valiant stand against the eventual All-Filipino champions, the San Miguel Beermen, Reyes said the team has not lost sight of its goal to win championships.
"We are by no means satisfied with how we finished the season and we hope to be able to improve on our last all Filipino placing. But like I said, it's going to be very, very difficult. We're surely going to have a huge target on our backs, so we have to be ready," he said.
TNT had it rough during the All-Filipino, especially during the final stretch of the season, where multiple players were bitten by the injury bug.
Reyes said Rey Nambatac, Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana have recovered from their respective injuries. However, Jayson Castro will miss out the conference, while Poy Erram is expected to join after a month or so.
"After last conference talagang one month kaming nagpahinga kasi yun nga, ang daming injured, lalo na ako na-strain yung hamstring ko," Pogoy said.
"So okay naman. And then galing kami sa bubble. Two weeks kami andun. Paputol-putol na nag-ttrain para maganda preparation namin ngayon," he added.
Despite the missed opportunity last season, Pogoy said they will use this as added motivation in the upcoming season.
"Yun nga last conference, finals na sana, grand slam na sana. Pero another opportunity this season, babawi this coming All-Filipino," he said.
"Hindi naman gigil, pero may motivation. Kasi pag mag-gigil ka, baka mawala ka sa ano eh. So dagdag motivation lang nakuha," he shared.
For his part, Oftana is hopeful his injured teammates come back sooner than later and the rest of the squad remain healthy throughout the season.
"Siyempre hindi ka ma-sasatisfy kasi lalo na hindi niyo nakuha yung goal niyo... Pero we’re moving forward, itong upcoming 50th anniversary ng PBA. We’re looking forward sa mga bago namin and sa lahat ng team sa PBA," he said.
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"Yun naman ang goal ng bawat team to win a championship every conference. Yun naman ang goal namin. Sana, sana magawa namin ngayon. Siyempre magsisimula yun sa game one namin paano kami mag-start," Oftana added.
Nambatac is looking forward to rejoining his team, after using the one-month break to recover from his groin injury.
"So far naman ito unti-unti nakukuha ko na ulit rhythm ko, timing ko, yung conditioning ko. Yun nga sayang lang last conference di nakasali due to injury nga. Itong panibagong conference, All-Filipino ulit rest assured naman na healthy ulit ako and ready to play na," he said.
Reyes commended the other squads for the "great job" in retooling their lineups, while keeping the belief his team will rise to the occasion.
"I'll never sell my team short because I think what we have learned is really how to continue fighting. And we've developed a lot of grit in the process. So hopefully, that's going to be enough," he said.
Reyes also reminded his wards to be the best at thing that take no talent or TNT.
"We might not be the biggest, most talented team in the league, but we strive to be the best in the things that takes no talent. Hard work, effort, doing the extra mile, caring for each other. Those are things that take no talent," he said.
"And hopefully, that would be enough to allow us to compete against the other more talented and bigger teams in the tournament," Reyes added.
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