FROM management standpoint, TNT is determined to give itself the best chance at winning the Philippine Cup - and in the process, claiming a Grand Slam in the PBA 49th Season.
READ: Chot braces for 'tremendous pressure' as TNT goes for Grand Slam
Tropang Giga team manager Jojo Lastimosa admitted they are looking at making deals, especially as they will continue to miss Jayson Castro due to a patellar tendon tear in his right knee, while also being without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the all-Filipino conference.
Filling the gap left by Castro and finding more support for Rey Nambatac at the point is the priority right now, Lastimosa acknowledged.
“Pilay-pilay kami ngayon and we don’t have Jayson. But I’m hoping that itong coming na conference, I can swing some deals na magdala ng point guard. So that’s my immediate plan actually,” said Lastimosa.
The TNT executive who led TNT to the 2023 Governors’ Cup title as head coach when he took over temporarily for Chot Reyes didn’t go into further detail.
“It’s already moving,” said Lastimosa.
Another shot at immortality
The Tropang Giga are fresh off a Commissioner’s Cup crown last Friday when they defeated Barangay Ginebra, 87-83, in Game 7 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
It fueled talk about TNT's golden opportunity of winning a Grand Slam after it also bagged the first conference of the season, the Governors’ Cup also at the expense of the Gin Kings.
With that, Lastimosa, Reyes, and Co. are now looking to join Crispa, San Miguel, Alaska, and San Mig Coffee as ballclubs that won a rare PBA hat-trick.
Incidentally, Lastimosa was a member of one of those teams when he was part of the Milkmen's Grand Slam squad back in 1996.
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