TNT coach Chot Reyes said the defending champions Tropang 5G are the underdogs in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Reyes embraced the label shortly after Game 6 of the semifinals when TNT defeated Meralco, 97-94, on Sunday.
“Obviously, we are coming in as huge underdogs playing basically the Philippine national team,” said Reyes. “We are playing Gilas and the reigning GOAT of all imports in the PBA in JB (Justin Brownlee).”
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TNT goes to the finals after finishing as the eighth seed in the quarterfinals with a 6-6 win-loss record before beating top seed NLEX and Meralco in the playoffs.
During the finals press conference on Monday, Reyes said being the ‘defending champion’ is a misnomer for TNT, given their campaign all conference.
TNT also have a different line-up from last season where Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was its reinforcement, with Chris McCullough looking to guide the Tropang 5G to another crown in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“First of all, we are only the defending champions in name because it so happened that this is the same tournament that we last won. It’s a very different series this time,” said Reyes.
Despite claiming the underdog tag, Reyes believes TNT has what it takes to win the series, as long as they play the right way.
“Its a very different series this time. First of all, we have a different team because of the import that we have. The key is our ability to continously adjust and adapt to Ginebra’s game.”
“For me personally, my objective is how to be able to play at a high level because it’s the only way we can compete. If we play our best, we give ourselves a chance. If we don’t give our best, we have no chance.
"Even if we play our best, it’s still 50-50. But at least, we have a chance. If we don’t give our best, we absolutely have no change.
“For me, that’s the only thing I’m thinking off. Whatever happens in the past, the history, the previous record doesn’t matter to me,” said Reyes.
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