NO. 96 was written on a white board inside TNT's dugout entering Game 6 of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
It represented the minimum number of minutes that TNT must play in order to overcome Barangay Ginebra’s 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
It is now 48 [minutes] down, 48 to go as the Tropang 5G look to complete another rally against the Gin Kings on Wednesday in Game 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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“If we really focus on playing defense, then we can stop this team,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “In our board (before Game 6), we put 96 minutes. We put the No. 96 encircled with a heart. We said let’s play the best 96 minutes of our lives.”
“And now, all we’ve done is get through the first half, and find a way to get ready for the second half on Wednesday,” said Reyes.
TNT will look to repeat its 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals victory where the Tropang 5G also won their final two games to beat Barangay Ginebra, including a Game 7 that went into overtime, 87-83.
The comfort level appears to be high for TNT as it anticipated going the distance against Ginebra.
“We talked about it from the start. We are here for the long game. And now, we are in long game territory. We are just grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to try one more time,” said Reyes.
Reyes admitted it was a gloomy dugout when TNT lost in overtime to Ginebra in Game 5, 100-95, with Justin Brownlee scoring 54 points. But Reyes said he reminded the team that they are in familiar territory.
“Obviously, we were pretty down in the dugout but I reminded them in the dugout, we’ve been here before. We know how to do this. And my only message is to clear your minds, clear your hearts, and put their best foot forward,” said Reyes.
“Whatever happens, happens. But like I said, we are prepared for 96 minutes. Now, there’s another 48 to be played,” Reyes added.
Game 7 will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. in front of an expected capacity crowd that could surpass the 22,731 that showed up at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.
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