Cone, Black brace for wars vs returning TNT coach

MANILA, Philippines — Rival coaches are bracing for topnotch battles with comebacking strategist Chot Reyes and his high-powered TNT Tropang Giga team in the coming PBA season.

Reyes, an eight-time champion, was tapped for another tour of duty with the PLDT-Smart franchise, and grand slam winners Norman Black of Meralco and Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra readily welcomed his return and the strong challenge his squad poses.

“It’s good to see Chot back in the league,” Black told The STAR. “The very talented TNT team was pretty good last conference so I expect them to continue to be good when Chot takes over.”

“He’s always been a force in coaching and his teams are always a great threat,” said Cone of his one-time deputy. “(I’m) looking forward to the wars ahead.”

Reyes, who took a break from coaching after his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in 2018, came back to the ballclub that he served from 2008 to 2012 and led to four championships.

The five-time Coach of the Year took the reins of a loaded personnel led by veteran playmaker Jayson Castro, Gilas mainstays RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario, and Elite 5 member Poy Erram.

Reyes’ appointment to his old post highlighted a series of moves 2020 Philippine Cup runner-up TNT is making of late.

The Tropang Giga have either renewed holdovers or signed free agents to stack up. TNT doesn’t have a pick in the first two rounds of the coming Rookie Draft.

Backup big man Chris Javier was the latest to be given an extension after the signing of new acquisitions Dave Marcelo, Glenn Khobuntin, and Ping Exciminiano, and bubble campaigners Lervin Flores, Almond Vosotros and Samboy de Leon.