TNT coach Chot Reyes is hoping the team’s new acquisitions would pay off for the PBA's 50th Season after winning two championships and falling short of a Grand Slam last season.
The Tropang 5G made moves for the coming season that will open on October 5 when they signed Kevin Ferrer and Tyrus Hill even after their campaign where they won the Governors’ and Commissioner’s Cup crowns.
READ: Coach Chot confirms Jio Jalalon trying out for TNT roster spot
But Reyes also recognizes that other squads have done some shuffling themselves.
“We certainly hope so,” he answered when asked during the PBA Media Day on Thursday on whether he thinks that their new players will improve their chances of repeating their performance last season - or even claim the Grand Slam this time around.
“But we all know how much every team has upgraded. We didn’t have a first- and second-round draft pick. We were kind of limited in that regard unlike the other teams. But if you look back at last season, I think we performed really well. It’s a matter of continuing that improvement.”
TNT bowed to San Miguel in the season-ending Philippine Cup to end their bid for a Grand Slam. But even with two titles under their belt last season, Reyes said they remain hungry for many more accomplishments.
“We are in no means satisfied with how we finished the season. And we hope to be able to improve on our last all-Filipino placing. But like I said, it’s going to be very difficult. We are surely going to have a huge target on our backs, so we need to be ready,” said Reyes.
TNT is for...
The offseason was an opportunity for many Tropang 5G to heal from their injuries which battered the team during the tailend of last season. Reyes bared that Calvin Oftana (ankle) and RR Pogoy (hamstring) have recovered, as well as Rey Nambatac, who was left out of the playoff roster during the all-Filipino due to a groin injury.
Poy Erram (meniscus) and Jayson Castro (patellar tendon tear), however, are not yet available for the first few months of the season.
In order to have another successful season and overcome the strengths of other teams, Reyes is banking on his players to do the intangible things that he now refers to as 'TNT' - or things that 'Take No Talent.'
“Kudos to management and coaching staffs of almost all the teams. They really did a good job of retooling and upgrading their roster… But still, I never sell my team short," he said.
“What we’ve learned is really how to continue fighting and we developed a lot of grit in the process. Hopefully, that’s going to be enough. Our goal for this season is to be the best at the things that 'Take No Talent.' And that’s what TNT stands for," he continued.
"We might not be the biggest, most talented team in the league, but we strive in the things that take no talent – hardwork, effort, teamsmanship, doing the extra mile, caring for each other. Those are the things that take no talent. We hope to be the best in those things in TNT."
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