Chot Reyes will need the whole TNT local crew to step up once again as the Tropang Giga take on Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
With Jayson Castro forced to miss the remainder of the season due to a right knee injury, TNT coach Chot Reyes expressed his confidence in his players going into the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Ginebra.
Though Castro left big shoes to fill, Reyes felt the local crew embraced the challenge and stepped up big time in disposing of Rain or Shine in the semifinals.
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“These other players that we have, we’re not going to sell them short. They showed in the last series how well they can play even without Jayson,” said Reyes.
After the Governors' Cup Finals MVP suffered a patellar tendon tear, guys like Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambtac, and RR Pogoy rose to the occasion to push TNT into another Finals appearance.
“At least kahit papano na-overcome ko na pressure. na-realize ko na instead na bumaba morale ko, tinake ko sya as motivation, as a positive para mas lumabas laro ko at makatulong sa team,” said Nambatac.
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The 10-time champion coach expects nothing less from his charges as the Tropang Giga engage a complete Ginebra squad for the Commissioner's Cup title, a second Finals showdown between the two teams this season.
While Reyes’ squad is shorthanded, his counterpart, Ginebra coach Tim Cone, has the likes of Jamie Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray, and Troy Rosario at his disposal.
The three didn’t play in the Governors’ Cup Finals more than four months ago.
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Still, Reyes will make do with what he has on his deck.
“I've said this before, I don't think anyone can fill in the shoes of Jayson. So we're just asking all the other players to give in a little bit more and try to contribute a little more than what they usually do so that we can all try and make up for Jayson's loss,” he said.
“The best we can do, really, is to hope that the effort of the others is enough to cover for Jayson not being here with us.”
Game 1 is set on Friday, March 14 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
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