By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
WHILE they are happy to be back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finals, the TnT Tropang Giga recognize that it is only half of the battle and that there is still work to be done to realize their championship goals.
The Tropang Giga secured the last PBA Philippine Cup finals ticket on Sunday after defeating the San Miguel Beermen, 97-79, in their Game Seven semifinal rubber match at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
With great resolve, TnT bucked early struggles and when it got its collective groove was just not to be stopped in its push for a finals berth.
It was a total team effort on both ends for the Tropang Giga in the Game Seven win, led by Roger Pogoy, who shot his way out of a slump in the previous game to tally 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
Rookie Mikey Williams also stepped up big for his team, chalking up all-around numbers of 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists while big men Troy Rosario and Kelly Williams had double-doubles of 12 points and 12 rebounds and 11 and 10, respectively.
With the finals berth in the bag, TnT is now focusing on the next phase of completing the goals it has set at the start of the season.
“We’re fortunate to be back in the finals,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes, whose wards were a losing finalist in last year’s Philippine Cup finals although under the stewardship of another coach.
“Well, we’re happy, but we know that there’s still a huge job in front of us,” he added.
Waiting for TnT in the finals are the equally motivated Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, who eliminated the Meralco Bolts in their own best-of-seven semifinal series, 4-2.
“We are relieved to have moved past San Miguel. But there’s also the feeling of, you know, that we are still far from over, that the job is only half done. But at least we’re here. Now, we have to figure out how to play and compete against this tough Magnolia squad,” Mr. Reyes said.
The multi-titled coach went on to say that important for them in the finals is to get better and instill that kind of mindset of not settling for where they are at the moment in their development under his watch.
“Being in the finals is great. I think that’s the objective of every coach in the league. But when I accepted the job, we’re looking at the long game. We’re trying to build a [winning] culture,” said Mr. Reyes, who made his PBA coaching return this season after a decade of being away to seek other pursuits.
TnT is seeking its eighth PBA title in franchise history and first since winning the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup.
Game One of the best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals between TnT and Magnolia is set for Wednesday with the official time expected to be announced by the league on Tuesday.
The series will be played at the DHVSU Gym after the PBA reconsidered its earlier plans to bring back the action in the finals to Metro Manila after quarantine restrictions in the area were scaled down.