The TNT Tropang Giga are on the verge of advancing to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, yet the road there has been anything but easy. With injuries piling up and their opponent, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, refusing to back down, TNT finds itself leaning heavily on resilience, depth, and sheer will to push through.
TNT will attempt to close out the best-of-seven semifinal series this Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, holding a 3-1 lead following a dominant 108-92 victory in Game 4. A win in Game 5 would not only seal their Finals ticket but also provide a much-needed break for the battered squad before facing the winner between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer.
Injury Crisis Hits Key Players
What makes this potential Finals berth remarkable is the extent of TNT’s injury woes. The team has been forced to navigate the series without several key players, including Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac. Now, Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, and Roger Pogoy have also joined the injured list, casting serious doubts on their availability for Game 5.
Head coach Chot Reyes didn’t hide his concern, stating,
“I’m only concerned if we have enough men because we’re just falling like flies. We lost Kelly today, Calvin as well.”
Despite the setbacks, Reyes remains focused on adapting.
“As it’s been the whole season, it’s next man up. We just have to figure out how to use whoever we have left.”
Unheralded Heroes Step Up
While TNT’s star core is sidelined, its role players have risen to the occasion. Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Glenn Khobuntin, Henry Galinato Jr., Brian Heruela, Poy Erram, and Kim Aurin have all played crucial roles in keeping the team’s momentum alive.
Their performance in Game 4 was a solid bounce-back after a blowout loss in Game 3, showcasing the team’s depth and mental toughness. The victory not only gave them a 3-1 series edge but also reignited their pursuit of a third straight Finals appearance and a shot at a historic season sweep.
Rain or Shine Not Backing Down
Despite being on the brink of elimination, Rain or Shine is far from defeated. Known for their gritty and relentless playing style under coach Yeng Guiao, the Elasto Painters are expected to bring their fiercest performance yet in Game 5.
Chot Reyes is well aware of the challenge ahead:
“They’re playing with a lot of urgency. Credit to coach Yeng—he’s making great adjustments and getting his guys to play hard. We just have to match and overcome that.”
He adds,
“They’re going to come out with their hardest effort yet. So we have to be ready. We have no other choice.”
Looking Ahead
If TNT secures the Game 5 victory, they will earn the first seat in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, giving them valuable rest time to recover and regroup. The extended break could be the key to reviving their depleted roster for the championship round.
However, with Rain or Shine expected to throw everything they have into extending the series, TNT must rely once more on their system, teamwork, and battle-tested mentality. Game 5 won’t just be a test of skill — it will be a test of TNT’s heart and resolve.