Togetherness N Tenacity — TNT.
That’s how multi-titled coach Chot Reyes describes the banged up Tropang 5G’s mantra in overcoming adversities on their way to making a return trip to the finals for the third straight conference and staying on track for a historic grand slam.
“TNT is Togetherness N Tenacity,” Reyes responded when asked by Pinoystep.com on the character shown by his squad despite missing key injured players in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals duel they won against the up and coming Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in hard-fought six matches.
The Tropang 5G missed ace point guard Jayson Castro for the past few months due to surgery on his patellar tendon then Rey Nambatac followed suit after being sidelined by a groin injury.
Dead shot swingman Roger Pogoy was likewise sidelined by a hamstring injury that forced him to miss several games in TNT’s semifinals series against Rain or Shine while Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading, two other young stars of the squad, had been playing hurt at the latter part of the playoffs, but able to push their aching bodies to help the Tropang 5G in reaching the championship round anew.
Still, the Tropang 5G willed themselves to victory as they relied on everyone — whether they’re 100-percent fit or just good enough to play manageable minutes just to contribute in their own valuable way.
TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa believes there’s a better reason why the Tropang 5G remained extra motivated to reach their goal.
“We got guys on the team with high character, especially our veterans. Our supporting cast complement them and understand their roles. They won’t try to be like our starters, but they will work as hard knowing the team needs them. There was no ego here in the team and everyone is accountable and will be called out when they mess up. They are tough enough to own mistakes and learn from it,” added Lastimosa.
