With a 5-4 standing, TNT is still in the running not only for a quarterfinal spot, but also a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup playoffs.
After a shaky start to the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, there have been doubts about whether or not TNT has enough firepower to make the playoffs.
It’s understandable. After all, the Tropang GIga struggled to string together wins in a conference that saw teams like NLEX, NorthPort, Terrafirma, and Blackwater have an early surge.
TNT coach Chot Reyes even admitted in an interview more than two weeks ago that TNT is no longer the battle-tested team that has had the league teetering on its heels.
“We are no longer the mighty TNT. I think the sooner we accept that, the better it’s going to be for us,” Reyes said last April 7.
[RELATED STORY: 'No longer mighty' | Coach Chot Reyes makes frank assessment Tropang Giga's shaky PBA start]
But there was no doubt in Kelly William’s mind that all will be fine in time.
The former MVP then pointed out that the young team is still getting a full grasp of the TNT culture, which has allowed them to cop nine championships in 22 Finals appearances.
“The past (TNT) teams had difficult conferences as well. I think now we just have a lot of young guys,” the 42-year-old said said after TNT’s come-from-behind win over Phoenix on Wednesday, April 25.
“We have guys that are still learning the system but learning the culture, how we manage each other, how we work together from management, to coaches, to players, I think that’s been the bigger part of our success in the past.”
As overused as this phrase has been in sports parlance, the team now is still a work-in-progress.
“Like what coach said, I think we have the capability to get where we wanna be. It’s just gonna take some time, and guys really reflecting on themselves and what the team needs.”
That time could come sooner rather than later.
At 5-4, the Tropang Giga are in the running for a quarterfinal spot and who knows, maybe a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs, too.
“There’s a lot of learning. There’s a lot of adjustment. Coach (Chot) is big on being able to pivot and adjust in times that are difficult,” he said.