TNT team governor wants a role reversal at the end of the PBA finals: with him receiving the trophy instead of handing it to Ginebra's Al Chua.
Concurrent TNT Tropang Giga team governor and PBA chairman does not necessarily agree with Jojo Lastimosa’s initial assessment that the Tropang Giga are the underdogs in their finals duel opposite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
On the contrary, he believes the team is an altogether different breed—fiercer, bolder, and not one to back down.
“Sabi ko nga, Ginebra is the best team in the league, but we are the best team in this conference,” Vargas pointed out in the PBA finals press conference held on Monday afternoon. “We were number 1, so it is not true that we think we’re the underdogs. We are the hound dogs, we are the German shepherds…”
Indeed, the Tropang Giga finished atop the standings in the elimination round and actually owns a win over the defending champions. But while Vargas does not think TNT is the underdog in this looming showdown, he does acknowledge that Ginebra is in a class all by itself—and that it is the best for a reason.
“Ginebra has been able to get that best team in the league because they worked very hard for it. That never say die is an attitude that they have,” Vargas added. “Pero sana matapatan namin yun. We are not number 1 in the conference without working very hard for it… With due respect to the best basketball mind [Tim Cone] and team manager [Al Chua] … I think this team [TNT] will prove that it will be very competitive.”
Should Vargas’ words prove prescient, then it is possible he might just see his wish fulfilled in a week or so.
“I’ve been chairman for five years already. Ang memorable sa chairmanship ko, sa lahat ng trophy na nakuha ni Alfrancis Chua , ako ang nagbigay. I handed it to him…,” Vargas noted. “Ngayon, isa lang ang pangarap ko. Sana, at the end of the finals, si Alfrancis ang magha-hand sa akin ng trophy.”