MVP cites first-time champions

MANILA, Philippines — TNT coach Chot Reyes said a highlight of the Tropa’s celebration after clinching the PBA Governors’ Cup championship last Friday was PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan’s presence in a post-game dinner with players, coaches, staff, families and fans at Sambo Kojin West Avenue.

“MVP was happy and showed his appreciation by celebrating with us,” said Reyes. MVP was on the court showered by confetti during the awarding ceremony, in the dugout with the team and at dinner. “He was especially happy for the first-timers, the guys who won their first championship,” added Reyes. Savoring their first taste of a title were Rey Nambatac, Kim Aurin, Henry Galinato, Barkley Ebona, CJ Payawal, Almond Vosotros and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. Nambatac played six years with Rain or Shine, moved to Blackwater for a conference then was traded to TNT during the offseason.

Reyes said charting TNT’s assist-to-turnover ratio was key to bringing down Ginebra in the Finals. In the elims, Ginebra was No. 1 in assists (26) and No. 2 in least turnovers (11.6) while TNT was last in assists (18.7) and No. 1 in least turnovers (10.9). In TNT’s four Finals wins, the Tropa averaged 23 assists, limiting Ginebra to 19.5.

“Our offense was a work in progress during the elims,” said Reyes. “We didn’t shoot the ball well (last in field goal percentage at 421), reflected by our low assists. We knew that in the playoffs, defense would be tougher and we wouldn’t be able to win playing one-on-one. So we had to improve our assist-to-turnover ratio.”

The Finals brought out the best in Reyes and Ginebra coach Tim Cone as they matched wits every step of the way, tweaking starting lineups, employing surprise combinations and springing scheme adjustments. TNT’s defense was unforgiving and in its four wins, held Ginebra to an average of 82.3, way below the Barangay’s elims clip of 106.5. Reyes knew defense was the formula for success but Ginebra’s short rotation was a contributing factor that led to its meltdown in Game Six.