TNT is slated to field Aaron Fuller to replace McKenzie Moore as it also welcomes the return of Troy Rosario and Kib Montalbo following injuries.
Head coach Chot Reyes said Fuller is now TNT's full-time import after playing in one game as a fill-in last December.
“McKenzie Moore has left already. Our import is Aaron Fuller. We fully expect to go all the way with him through the end. Hopefully, he takes us deep,” said Reyes during a recent Zoom In episode on SPIN.ph.
The Tropang Giga also got a shot in the arm with Rosario and Montalbo expected to be healthy when the conference resumes.
Rosario has yet to play in the conference as he recovered from the bad fall he suffered during the Philippine Cup finals against Magnolia, while Montalbo is now back in harness after a meniscal repair.
“Kib is already practicing fully. Troy is practicing fully. By the resumption of the PBA, I expect them to be back,” said Reyes.
Coach Chot Reyes and the Tropang Giga start the year with an even 2-2 record.
In his lone game thus far in the conference, Fuller scored 13 points and 10 rebounds in TNT’s 95-92 win over Rain or Shine on December 26, the last playdate before the league was suspended due to Omicron surge.
Incidentally, Rosario’s first game back could come on Friday as the league slated TNT to play Magnolia at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Rosario suffered a spinal shock injury in Game Three of the PBA Philippine Cup finals against Magnolia. Although he played the next two matches en route to the crown, Rosario had opted to take a rest in the early part of the Governors’ Cup.
The presence of Fuller, Rosario, and Montalbo will definitely be a boost with TNT holding an even 2-2 win-loss record.
The Tropang GIGA are also slated to form part of the Gilas Pilipinas squad that will compete in the first window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers this February.
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