The TNT Tropang Giga affirmed why they’re a champion team in the PBA, successfully defending their Governor’s Cup championship against Atlantic’s obstacle. In a do-or-die game on Friday, November 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City during the Governor’s Cup finals, the Tropang Giga triumphed over the Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel 95-85 to capture the Tropang Giga’s tenth championship in the PBA.
This victory also coincided with the head coach of the Tropang Giga Chot Reyes celebrating his tenth championship crown in PBA. Victory in this title positioned Reyes as one of the most remarkable figures in PBA history as, having eleven titles under their belt, he was only the fourth coach to achieve that level of success in the league for quite a long time. However, to the 61-year-old coach, this 10th title is just “a step towards the 11th” as he looks forward to the next assignment, the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Ten is now a step towards 11,” Reyes said when he guested on the sports talk show Play by Play. Analyzing the victory in the Governor’s Cup, Reyes said, “This was a very difficult Championship for us because it was a front with different personal adversity for a lot of players. However, for us to be able to meet the targeted mass and effectively campaign, it made it much special.”
Actually, victory for Tropang Giga was a product of struggle and not an easy one at that. Injuries, changes in the lineup, and other adversities became great tests during the season at some times. However, according to Reyes, it has become a trademark for this team to fight and bring out its unity that aims for the Governor’s Cup.
WATCH: TNT coach Chot Reyes after winning the Governors’ Cup over Ginebra. #PBAFinals | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/wGyIfNVeWR
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 8, 2024
One of the keys to the victory of TNT KaTropa in the conference finals was their premier import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. With good shooting, slashing, and a large frame for rebounding, Hollis-Jefferson became the cornerstone of the game plan of TNT and was installed as the Best Import of the Conference. Reyes claimed his contributions by saying that he was the perfect example of what their team wanted to achieve as a defensive line. What he brings is varied, and it is all tied to defense. He can play both as a perimeter and post defender and is the team’s second-best rim protector aside from Poy Erram. But there is a lot that he can accomplish.”
What set Hollis-Jefferson apart is that he can defend positions one through five and can challenge any player at the rim, which came in handy against a team like Barangay Ginebra, which likes to quicken the pace. His physical ability combined with his defensive nature brought a lot of trouble to his counterparts. Through sheer energy and Defensive Rebounding Vault, Hollis-Jefferson helped the Tropang Giga withstand the opposition throughout the game primarily on determination and solidarity.
Moreso, the overall defensive discipline of Tropang Giga, with Hollis-Jefferson, was paramount to their win. Reyes had always put high emphasis on defense as a cornerstone of his leadership approach to the team and this championship affirmed the validity of this approach to PBA basketball.
Elevating a championship trophy on the sidelines of the PBA is exemplary and coaching his tenth championship is something Chot Reyes can boast of. He is not only remembered therefore by the number of titles he has won but more by the flexibility in the strategies he used when moving from one team, player, or from one challenge to another. Reyes has embraced progressive management and takes the responsibility of developing the talents making him a popular personality in the Philippine basketball scene.
But this is not enough for Reyes, the appetite of the man is bigger than his achievements hence the continuous pushing. “As I mentioned earlier, our team is always a work in progress,” he said. ‘I believe much more disciplined on the attacking front as a team’. We have to rebound better. These words do not express achievements; there is still much remaining to be done. Reyes's understanding of these areas for improvement is evidence that he knows that no season is the same and that to remain successful he has to keep growing.
The next Commissioner’s Cup starting on Wednesday, November 27 will be a brand new challenge. The Tropang Giga will probably be regarded as more of the favorites to win since they would have the title “defending champions”. Reyes is fully aware of this target and the necessity to work on his team to bring them back to the highest level, especially on the attack.
Unlike in the Governor’s Cup, the team has to face new imports and stiffer opposition in the Commissioner’s Cup. Some changes are sure to come to the domestic market, and Reynolds and his team do know this: to hold the position of leaders and continue to control the market, much will have to be reoriented. “It is all set to be a completely different affair, and the same camera: the same hard work and stiff rivals desperate for the champions’ defeat,” Reyes commented.
Besides the physical aspect, many mental strengths will be a vital factor as the Tropang Giga players expect another challenging season ahead. The teams’ call-up anchor shall be led by usual suspects in the likes of Jayson Castro and Poy Erram thus, comes in handy in tapping experiences. Castro’s leadership and previous experiences will help Reyes a lot as Erram provides a strong presence around the paint.
Tropang Giga fans must be thrilled to watch their team go for the eleventh title, yet, Reyes and his players are pragmatic regarding the Commissioner’s Cup. They understand the fact that being tagged as favorites comes with no automatic ticket to success and that as a team they need to make progress on every game.
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