Chot Reyes' TNT Tropang Giga waxed hot from deep early then warded off a late Ginebra Gin Kings run to take Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
TNT coach Chot Reyes was left scratching his head after missing what normally were easy shots for him in a golf tournament early Friday, March 14.
But Reyes did not really mind playing badly in golf, as long as his players made up for it by nailing their shots in the evening.
“I played in a golf tournament this morning. I was missing putts this short,” Reyes said, describing the distance with both hands.
“They kept leaking out. I said it’s OK if I miss my shots now as long as my players make their shots tonight.”
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Wish granted for the Tropang Giga mentor as his charges fired away from three-point range en route to a 95-89 verdict over Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
TNT opened the match with eight triples, including three straight from RR Pogoy, to establish a 29-18 lead.
The Tropang Giga shot 14 from three-point range overall.
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The Gin Kings tried to turn the match around in the fourth quarter as they tried to climb from an 18-point deficit, 39-57.
But ultimately, Reyes’ charges hung tough for the morale-boosting opening triumph.
The outspoken mentor hopes for the Tropang Giga to sustain this type of play when they clash with the Gin Kings again in Game 2 on Sunday, March 16, at the same venue.
Will Reyes play golf again before the match?
“Secret,” he said in jest.