TNT guns for a 2-0 lead in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup finals with still a lot to work on in order to have a chance at gaining that advantage.
The Tropang 5G captured the series opener with a 99-96 win but not after losing a 24-point lead, and getting a break when Mo Tautuaa’s go-ahead dunk with 56 seconds left in Game 1 was overturned due to a basket interference.
READ: RHJ heaps praise on 'pitbull' Chris Ross after Game One
Reyes pointed to the 15 errors that TNT committed in Game 1 as the reason that the match somehow became close despite a big lead.
After shooting 51 percent in the first half, TNT only made 33 percent but Reyes insisted it is not to blame for San Miguel making a comeback.
“That’s what you call law of averages,” said Reyes about their shooting slump in the second half in which TNT was outscored, 30-14, in the fourth quarter. “But still, our shots weren’t going in but they are good looks. That’s what we say on our team. As long as we get good looks, we can live with that.”
“What we couldn’t live with is our turnovers. That fueled their run,” said Reyes.
READ: Kelly Williams shakes off sore ankle in solid return for TNT
Turnovers have been an issue for TNT in the playoffs. In the semifinal series against Rain or Shine, the Tropang 5G were averaging 17 per contest.
“They got 22 points off turnovers from us. That’s a huge difference. Can you imagine, if we just cut that in half, hindi na sana dumikit. Tht’s what we need to address, our turnovers,” said Reyes.
San Miguel is expected to do everything to tie the series at 1-1 following the events that happened late in the series opener where the Beermen nearly lodged a protest for the controversial end to Game 1.
Reyes hopes that TNT, which just got RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams back from injuries in Game 1, can withstand a much-healthier SMB squad for Wednesday’s contest to be played at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“They still have a lot of legs and wind to still put pressure defense until the fourth,” Reyes said, referring to the fourth quarter of Game 1. “Kami, hindi na masyado malakas because of the all the injuries that we are trying to manage.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
