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| TNT is definitely happier already this season than the kinda emo previous one. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA--Unlike Ginebra, which went through a hard-fought semifinal series against San Miguel that did not lack emotions, especially from their faithful fans from cheers to sadness due to how tight the series was, TNT did not undergo too much of an "emo phase" to make the PBA Governors' Cup Finals.
The Tropang Giga only had four sad moments, that is, losses, throughout the conference and had relatively smooth sailing in the first two rounds of the playoffs to book the first spot in the best-of-seven finals beginning this Sunday.
Welcome to the Blue (sometimes Black) Parade
TNT's path to its finals return is a too-far cry from the struggles they had last season when they could not even make the semifinals in both conferences.
Much of the credit could be attributed to a preseason coaching staff shakeup that saw Chot Reyes returning to the head coaching job from being the "senior consultant" and Jojo Lastimosa being back to only having one job as team manager.
It seemed like the Tropang Giga were on a "Blue Parade" considering how smooth their winning ways were, all the more that they have remained relatively lucky with their black alternate jerseys.
Even their losses could have gone either way as three of their four defeats were just decided by one possession, meaning they had their chances.
Tried to get a bucket vs. TNT but it's empty
The secret: turning to defense.
Considering that Reyes' "dribble-drive offense" is more of an uptempo game which could lead to high-scoring affairs, TNT is surprisingly number one in points allowed with 89.9 per game, showing that the team has been successful in slowing down the opposing team's pace and having them go empty in their shots.
Although oftentimes, defense-oriented teams would sacrifice their offense in the process, the team is number one in terms of average winning margin with 8.9 per game, which is impressive considering that they are indeed a classic example of the aforementioned fact, only scoring 98.8 points per game, good for 11th place.
"We really made a conscious and intentional effort to focus on defense because when we analyzed our past performance, that was our weakness: our inability to stop other teams," Reyes said.
As an old saying goes, defense wins championships, and the Tropang Giga are out to prove that once more.
However, they have to take on the Gin Kings, the number one team in three-point percentage, number three in four-pointers made, and number two in perimeter points, in the finals.
Interestingly enough, TNT is also number one in limiting their opponent's three-point looks, number three in limiting four-point looks, and number one in perimeter points conceded, so if there is one team that can lock down Ginebra from the outside, that could be TNT.
I can feel Rondae Hollis-Jefferson all around me
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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's all-around game this conference has been mind-blowing. PBA Images |
Average-wise, he is number one for the PLDT franchise in all five major stats, points (28.0), rebounds (12.9), assists (6.4), steals (2.9), and blocks (1.9).
While leading the way in points is already given for an import, being number one in rebounds and blocks is too much of an achievement for Hollis-Jefferson in the PBA Governors' Cup, where a six-foot-six height limit is imposed while having to deal with the likes of six-foot-nine Japeth Aguilar and 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo.
"My whole life's been a defense-first mindset. From where I come from, it's like a pride thing being able to guard the person in front of you," Hollis-Jefferson said.
Highlighting RHJ's awe-inspiring all-around game were the times when he flirted with a rare 5x5, that is, at least five in the stats mentioned above.
He would come to within one or two steals or blocks short of the said stat line before he finally got his 5x5 in Game 4 of the semifinals against Rain Or Shine.
Hollis-Jefferson was even one assist short of a triple-double during that remarkable feat even as he was clutch on both ends of the floor, scoring the game-winning dunk while denying Jhonard Clarito two chances at forcing overtime with one block and one steal that would complete the 5x5.
"Five steals and five blocks [in a single game]? That's like scoring 50 points on defense," Justin Brownlee told Dugout Philippines in a separate interview about his third finals showdown in all competitions in two years against Hollis-Jefferson.
However, Brownlee anticipates a sick stat line like that from Hollis-Jefferson.
"We do expect for him to be that way because he has the ability to do that every single night, and almost on every single possession, he can be effective," Brownlee further said.
If you still cannot feel RHJ all around you, I don't know what will.
What's your poison now, TNT?
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| In his first semifinal appearance, Rey Nambatac became a "poison" for Rain Or Shine's cause. PBA Images |
And they happen to be coach Yeng Guiao's former players.
Well, Calvin Oftana and Poy Erram are surely at home now with the Tropang Giga, but Rey Nambatac also showed that in only his first conference with his new team, he can contribute right away, topping the locals in scoring during the semifinals with 14.2 points per game.
Known to be a shoot-first guy, the combo guard was also a good help for Hollis-Jefferson in facilitating the plays for TNT, averaging 3.4 dimes per game, also number one among the locals.
The revelation was Erram, who stepped up in the playoffs highlighted by a best player performance in the group stages against Meralco and a season-high 27 points against ROS in Game 3 of the semifinals.
Somehow taking turns in stepping up among the locals at least in the first three games of the semis, Guiao jokingly said that Nambatac, who he coached with the Elasto Painters, Oftana, and Erram, who were with him at the NLEX Road Warriors camp, were probably "mad" at him and they were playing their revenge games against him.
You can say that Nambatac, Oftana, and Erram played as "poisons" to their former coach's cause.
While Oftana has been a steady force already since Day 1, expect Nambatac and Erram to be the surprise packages again for TNT in the finals against Ginebra, all the more that Nambatac will be very eager in his first finals appearance in the pros.
For Erram, though, his bounce-back conference after getting sidelined for a long period due to an MCL injury is about sticking to his role.
"For me, it's knowing my responsibility sa team sa loob ng game," Erram said.
Of course, the Gin Kings are fully aware of what Erram and Nambatac can contribute, so probably it's time for the likes of Glenn Khobuntin and Kim Aurin to step up.
What's your poison for Ginebra now, TNT?
Can TNT decode Ginebra?
One may ask, "Shouldn't it be 'Can Ginebra decode TNT?' since Ginebra lost to them last year?"
While the Tropang Giga are relatively intact from last year's championship team, the Gin Kings underwent a shakeup that saw younger players joining the team in RJ Abarrientos and Stephen Holt.
While Hollis-Jefferson has Brownlee and Erram has Aguilar to think about, it's now a matter of whether Nambatac, Aurin, Jayson Castro, and Brian Heruela can match up against the two new Ginebra guards.
Of course, TNT's backcourt still has Scottie Thompson and Maverick Ahanmisi to think about too.
Also, don't be surprised if coach Tim Cone gives Ben Adamos quality minutes if Joe Devance continues to be hampered by a knee injury he got during the semifinals against San Miguel.
Needless to say, this is not the 2023 Gin Kings the Tropang Giga beat to win the last Governors' Cup crown.
This means this is a brand new mystery for TNT to decode if they want to go back-to-back in the six-foot-six import conference.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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