THERE are sentiments from some fans that TNT, they claimed, only won their PBA championships in Season 49 because of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Even as the road to the title in the Philippine Cup will once again be difficult, the Tropang 5G want to end those talk.
“It’s always going to the tough,” said TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa. “And I want to say it now since we are here that people are saying that the only reason we’re winning all these championships is because of Rondae, yes that’s true. But all this talk has to stop.”
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That's why TNT still has a chip on its shoulder even with the Governors' and Commissioner’s Cup titles in the bag. Hollis-Jefferson helped the then-Tropang Giga win those championships, earning the Best Import nods on both occasions.
They have to run it back in the Philippine Cup without Hollis-Jefferson.
“That is something that they have to prove. And it’s something that they need to come together and talk about it that, ‘Hey, we have to show that we can win without Rondae.’ And this is the biggest opportunity for them to show that,” said Lastimosa.
TNT’s bid for a grand slam will be different from the others with the all-Filipino conference being the final tournament of the season, unlike in previous seasons where the tournament considered as the most prestigious came first.
Regardless, winning a grand slam will be no less difficult.
“The other teams are just dreaming about getting into the finals, much less, win three in a row. Think about it. ‘Yung iba, if they win one conference in a year, it is going to be a great year. Winning two, that’s remarkable. Can you imagine winning three in a year?
“Everything has to come together. The guys are single-minded in their purpose and in their focus, and walang injury, and management is behind them 100 percent. I like our chances,” said Lastimosa.
TNT is currently at the Inspire Sports Academy for the preparation for its Philippine Cup debut on April 23 against NLEX.
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