GAME HIGHLIGHTS
FULL GAME REPLAY
A Promising Start, But Far from Mission Accomplished
TNT Tropang Giga may have finally notched their first win of the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup season, but head coach Chot Reyes is not about to declare a turnaround just yet. After an 89–84 victory over powerhouse San Miguel Beer, Reyes emphasized that this was only the beginning of a long journey back to contention.
“This is just the first step,” Reyes said. “We’re happy, but we cannot be content with this.”
TNT’s win snapped a troubling 0–3 start and gave the team renewed confidence heading into its next match. But Reyes cautioned against any early celebration. The road to consistency, he noted, demands more than just one solid performance.
Terrafirma: A Tougher Challenge Than Their Record Suggests
Up next for the Tropang Giga is a matchup against Terrafirma Dyip, a team that may be struggling on paper with a 1–4 record but has already beaten TNT twice this season. That history is not lost on Reyes, who is preparing his squad for what he expects to be a grind-it-out game at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“We’re going to go back and have three straight days of really good, focused practices to get ready,” Reyes said, fully aware that overlooking Terrafirma could undo the progress made against San Miguel.
Despite Terrafirma sharing the league’s worst record with Blackwater, Reyes isn’t taking anything for granted. His approach is grounded in preparation and perspective.
Embracing a New Identity
The victory over San Miguel came after a period of internal reflection for TNT. Team meetings following a frustrating loss to Phoenix prompted players and coaches alike to accept a new reality: the team’s identity must evolve.
Gone are veteran leader Jayson Castro and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—key pillars in previous TNT campaigns. In their absence, Reyes encouraged his players to stop comparing themselves to the past and instead focus on the group currently on the floor.
“I told the players, let’s play our game — with the players in this room, with who we have,” he said. “That simple realization worked wonders.”
The players responded with grit, energy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Reyes described it as a turning point, not just in terms of performance but in mindset.
Writing Their Own Story
For Reyes, the narrative this conference is no longer about living up to past glories. Instead, it’s about building something new, one game at a time.
“Let’s write our own story,” he told his players — a rallying cry that could define the rest of their season.
While the win against San Miguel offers hope, the true test lies ahead. Consistency, chemistry, and character will all be essential if TNT is to rise in the standings and make a serious run in the Philippine Cup.
As Reyes put it: “It’s a step in the right direction. But our effort in the next few games is going to tell if we’ve started to turn that corner.”