MANILA, Philippines — Mula sa 0-3 panimula. ang TNT Tropang 5G ang unang koponang sumampa sa Season 49 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
At lalong lumakas ang kanilang tsansa para makopo ang pambihirang Grand Slam matapos maghari sa nakaraang Governor’s Cup at Commissioner’s Cup.
“All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs,” wika ni head coach Chot Reyes sa Tropang 5G.
Matapos ang tatlong dikit na kamalasan sa pagsisimula ng torneo ay anim na sunod na panalo ang inilista ng TNT patungo sa pagsikwat sa No. 6 spot sa quarterfinals.
Sinibak nila ang No. 3 Magnolia, nagbitbit ng ‘twice-to-beat’ advantage, papasok sa best-of-seven semifinals series.
“We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs and we figured whoever it is we need to beat and if we need to beat it twice then so be it,” sabi ni Reyes.
Sa semifinals ay pinatalsik naman nila ang Rain or Shine, 97-86, sa Game Six para tapusin ang kanilang serye sa 4-2 patungo sa PBA Finals.
Nagawa ito ng Tropang 5G sa kabila ng hindi paglalaro nina injured Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, RR Pogoy at Kelly Williams.
“We came together… and that’s what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up. Unfortunately, we got all those injuries, but it is what it is. But as you saw these guys, they don’t know the meaning of quit,” sabi ng nine-time champion coach.
Lalabanan ng Tropang 5G sa best-of-seven championship series ang mananaig sa Game Seven ng mag-utol na Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings at San Miguel Beermen.
Magtutuos sa huling pagkakaton ang Gin Kings at Beermen bukas ng alas-7:30 ng gabi sa Smart Araneta Coliseum.