CHICAGO — With many missing parts, it isn’t the best way for TNT to start its PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup title defense.
After barely scraping past Macau last Sunday, 106-103, import Darius Days told reporters how hairy things got.
“Coach (Chot Reyes) ripped us a new one,” he told reporters, using a slang term for an angry scolding.
READ Darius Days the least bothered as he plays in RHJ and Bol shadow
Fast forward to Tuesday and an incensed coach Chot was ejected from the Tropang 5G’s upset loss to the Giant Risers.
You’re reading it right, Titan Ultra beat TNT. By 16 points.
With Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana, Poy Erram, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams unavailable, TNT leaned on the bench.
NEXT MAN UP.
And from that reserve line, some players have shined, including one pesky, hyperactive Cebuano who guards like a stalker and sticks to opposing players like humidity.
Sean Quitevis Jr.
In a prior interview, Reyes told me he liked Quitevis’ tenacity on defense and that he would also want to see the former Ateneo Blue Eagle pack a scoring punch.
Looks like Sean has answered the call.
Playing a total of 37 minutes and 23 seconds in two games, the former Ateneo guard has poured in 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field including 1-for-2. from 3 and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
Quitevis is also pulling in 4.5 rebounds per while playing a smash mouth defense that borders on harassment.
“MR. PURE ENERGY.”
The burnished scoring facet of his game didn’t happen overnight.
“I only took a couple days off from the last conference and had a lot of fundamental work at Better Basketball where I relearned the basics on layups, shooting and ball handling,” he told me via text message.
And here’s the recipe on his energizer bunny effort that saw him guard Macau’s import.
“To complement my strength and conditioning, I dialed down on my nutrition to make sure I keep my weight and energy throughout a tough conference.”
Veteran teammate, Roger Pogoy, who”s leading the TNT locals in scoring with 15.5 points a game, is impressed.
“He’s a good player. Sobrang hardworking at bright sa mga plays and schemes sa depensa. At saka gusto talaga nya matuto at palaging nanghihingi ng pointers sa akin.”
With still 10 games to go in a long elimination-round campaign, Quitevis has plenty of opportunities to keep improving his craft.
On both sides of the floor.
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