Call RHJ as "Dodong" now, as the Bisaya players of the TNT Tropang Giga share how their heritage gives them an extra boost on the court.
Nice one, dong!
Communication is key when it comes to professional basketball. In the PBA, players are especially flexible. All-Filipino Conference? Easy, everyone speaks Filipino. Teammates who are either half-American or imports? People can easily switch to English.
And even then, everyone shares the same language when it comes to box-outs, screens, and pick-and-rolls.
The TNT Tropang Giga adds one more layer to that communication as at least five players know how to speak Bisaya.
Poy Erram, who studied in Cagayan de Oro, highlighted just how smooth their interactions are, not just because of the langage but because they share this connection.
“Minsan nga, sa tagal naming magkakasama, sa isang kindat lang, alam mo na dapat kung ano ‘yung gagawin,” the TNT center told One Sports after Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals.
This was especially vital in high-stakes situations, as their shared language becomes a huge advantage without having most of the opposition understand.
“Magtitinginan lang kami tapos ‘yung mga salita na medyo malalim na sa Bisaya, and then ayun lang. Ginagawa namin ‘yun 'pag nag-huhuddle kami. Sobrang effective, lalo na usually ang nag-e-end up sa endgame, apat na Bisaya ‘eh. Madali ‘yung communication namin,” explained Rey Nambatac, who also hails from Cagayan de Oro.
Beyond the court, the Bisaya language also strengthens the emotional and social bonds between the Tropang Giga.
“Kapag parehas kayo ng dialect, doon mo lang talaga makukuha ‘yung closeness niyo lalo na kapag puro kayo Bisaya,” said Calvin Oftana, who was born in Danao, Cebu.
“Mabilis kami magkaintindihan kasi nga puro Bisaya ‘eh. Alam mo na ‘yung kiliti ng isa kapag Bisaya,” added RR Pogoy, the TNT guard from Minglanilla, Cebu.
So when someone says "Dong," it's practically a call for a play.
“Same language lalo kapag tatlo or apat kaming nasa loob, mabilis magkaintindihan. Malaking bagay talaga ‘yun. Dodong—that’s it, alam na namin kung anong ibig-sabihin noon, then pag tawag ng dong, alam na ‘yung kung paano ang galawan," said Cagayan de Oro native Glenn Khobuntin.
It has gotten to the point that these Bisaya players have taught US-based import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who hails from Pennsylvania, a few words.
“Sana all! I know some Bisaya too, I say ‘Dong’, ‘ingat, Dong,’” Rondae laughed as he spoke to One Sports after Game 3.
“Ang tawagan kasi namin sa team, Dong, kaya nagaya na ‘rin ni RHJ,” Erram explained.
“Dodong ‘yun si RHJ, kasi Dodong ‘rin tawag niya sa amin ‘eh, lalo na pag nakashoot: 'Nice, Dong,” Khobuntin confirmed
"‘Yun ‘yung tinatawag namin sa kanya. Kunyari, nag-papaalam kami sa kanya: 'Bye, Dong. Ingat, Dong. Ganun lang kasi madalas niya naririnig sa practice and sa games ‘eh.” Nambatac shared.
Get a quick Bisaya lesson from these TNT players right here.