TNT coach Chot Reyes cleared his side of things in that squabble with San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz midway through the fourth period in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
The outspoken head coach and the fiery veteran guard nearly butt heads at the five-minute mark of the final period after Cruz was given a technical foul for second motion with the Beermen ahead 90-82.
Cruz then walked over to the TNT bench and had a few words with Reyes before being separated.
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The former Gilas Pilipinas head coach said that he had nothing to say to Cruz, saying he was just merely reacting to the call.
“I was just clapping. I don’t know what he was upset about? I knew he was going to get a technical so I was clapping.” Reyes told reporters after the game
READ: San Miguel takes down TNT in Game 3, wrests control in PBA Finals
“Sabi niya ‘Why, what did I do?’ Sabi ko ‘I’m just clapping, what am I doing?’ Di ko siya kinausap wala akong sinabi sa kanya. I just clapped kasi technical e so I knew we will get a free throw,” he added.
“Akala niya yata sa kanya [directed e], siyempre nakatingin ako sa kanya [at] pumapalakpak ako.”
Cruz respectfully begged off from an interview when asked for comments after the game.
That added free throw from Cruz’s technical, however, didn’t sway the favor towards the TNT side as San Miguel still went on to win, 108-88 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven finals affair.
TNT had no answers for June Mar Fajardo as the eight-time MVP finished with a conference high 33 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
His performance, coupled with TNT’s inability to take care of the ball resulted to the first ever blowout win of the series
“San Miguel’s defending us really well. We’re just turning the ball over too much to give ourselves a chance,” said Reyes.
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