TNT is starting its build-up in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup on Monday, with expectations that the road to another championship will be challenging.
Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes said practice will begin shortly after the end of Calvin Oftana’s campaign with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers.
“Monday, the 25th that’s the start of our practice because we are going to wait for Gilas to be over. Calvin Oftana is there, coach Josh Reyes is also there. We want to make sure that the players are complete before we resume practice,” said Reyes.
READ: Games to watch in the upcoming Commissioner's Cup
Reyes said TNT will start practice even with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson arriving in the country on December 1 as he takes a well-deserved break after leading the Tropang Giga to the Governors’ Cup title.
TNT will be going for its second title of the 49th season after successfully capturing its second straight Governors’ Cup crown with a finals series victory over Barangay Ginebra.
But the road to the crown in the new conference will be tough, according to Reyes, as other teams have already started beefing up their roster.
Incidentally, one of the teams that strengthen their roster is Converge, which has acquired Jordan Heading in a trade with Terrafirma for Aljun Melecio, Keith Zaldivar, and a future first-round draft pick.
Ironically, Barangay Ginebra is reportedly reinforcing its roster after its finals defeat over TNT, with Troy Rosario reportedly set to sign from free agency.
READ: Free-agent Troy Rosario signing with Ginebra, say sources
“Very, very, very tough,” Reyes said of the competition in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We already see the teams beefing up. We already know one team that is already beefed up considerably. If the Governors’ Cup was difficult, I find the Commissioner’s is going to be doubly, if not, 10 times more difficult.”
“Alam na natin malakas ang Ginebra. Pero nagpapalakas pa. But we know the other team, right?” said Reyes.
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