TNT coach Chot Reyes acknowledged injuries are now rearing their ugly heads at them, as seen in Game 3 of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup.
Poy Erram became the latest Tropang 5G player who was hit by injury, sustaining an ankle sprain that caused him to miss Friday night’s contest. The big man was present in Game 3, but was in civilian clothes and wore a walking boot.
San Miguel took full advantage, as it went to eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo early and often, leading to TNT’s remaining bigs of Kelly Williams, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and even Henry Galinato Jr. getting more fouls than usual.
Williams and Ganuelas-Rosser each had four fouls, while Galinato had three, all in the first half. Williams also had three fouls in the first two quarters.
“June Mar had 33 points because we had nobody to match-up aside from Kelly,” said Reyes. “That was really very big for us.”
Reyes said it remains unclear when Erram will return for the finals.
“We find out again tomorrow if he can come back and play,” Reyes said.
With Erram out, the Tropang 5G lost in blowout fashion, 108-88, last Friday, and now trail the finals series, 2-1, following two successive losses, with the Beermen imposing their will on most statistical departments.
READ: San Miguel takes down TNT in Game 3, wrests control in PBA Finals
Aside from being outrebounded, 46-38, and being dominated in points in the paint, 48-28, TNT had a lot of turnovers once again with 18, resulting into 32 points for SMB.
TNT stands for Turnovers Na Tuloy-tuloy
Reyes said their turnovers were also due to injuries, as Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac are out for the season and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is not playing in the all-local tournament.
“We don’t have our top two point guards,” Reyes said. “That’s a direct reflection of that. In fact, we lost our three point guards because in the conference tournaments, Rondae was playing point. We’ve lost our three point guards.”
“We are forcing guys, forcing [Jordan] Heading to play the point which is not his natural position. Buti nga may Almond [Vosotros]. Simon Enciso is really just a backup point. And Brian Heruela is just a defensive guard. Sana kung nandiyan si Jayson at Rey, maybe we won’t be turning the ball over that much.”
Still, Reyes vowed that TNT will continue to fight despite the thin personnel that they have right now.
“We just take it as it is. We have to find a way and told the players to keep on fighting. It was too much to ask to win against a super powerful team like San Miguel kung kumpleto kami. Ngayon pang kulang-kulang,” he said.
“But we are going to keep fighting, and see what happens.”
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