Sweeter the 10th time around

Victory extra special for entire TNT franchise

MANILA, Philippines — The TNT dugout overflowed with joy and gratitude, spilled beer and electrolyte drinks and unlit victory cigars after completing a title repeat in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

For this Tropang Giga bunch that has gone through a lot off the court, this was more a triumph of the spirit.

Team owner Manny V. Pangilinan joined the post-game celebrations along with TNT governor Ricky Vargas – unmindful of getting drenched – to cheers of “Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you!” from grateful players.

“Happy for them, happy for the franchise,” Pangilinan said as he also paid tribute to Barangay Ginebra and coach Tim Cone for a great challenge. “They gave us a great scare tonight (Game 6) and during the series.”

“I really wanted badly for these guys to win,” said team manager Jojo Lastimosa. “Because a lot of our guys are going through some difficult times right now in their personal lives. I wanted them to at least have something good to carry with them. So this championship really means a lot to me and of course to the whole team.”

Lastimosa had the greatest wish of success for coach Chot Reyes, who received much vitriol on social media while he was still in charge of the Gilas program last year.

“It’s kind of a redemption for Chot,” said Lastimosa, who filled in for Reyes as TNT tactician and called the shots during their GC championship run in Season 47.

Reyes, who stepped aside from the Gilas reins after the FIBA World Cup and took the TNT coaching position in the Season 48 Philippine Cup, won his 10th career title while steering the franchise to the same number of championships.

“Every championship is different, every championship is sweet in its own right. But after everything I’ve gone through, all the adversity that I’ve had to battle throughout the last year, (this) certainly has a certain different kind of sweetness,” said Reyes.

“There’s something special about this team because a lot of our players are going through personal adversity. That’s why we said if we win here, it was bigger than basketbalL,” he added.

This one’s extra special for the likes of RR Pogoy, who hoisted the title again after a scary heart ailment, Finals MVP Jayson Castro, who proved he still has it, and Rey Nambatac, who ended long years of frustration.

“Grace talaga ni Lord, blessing ni Lord,” said Pogoy, who was sidelined by myocarditis (heart condition) last year. “Sinabihan ako (doctors) pahinga ng six months, tignan kung gagaling. But biglang ‘nung second checkup, nawala lahat sa grace and blessing ni Lord.”

At 38, Castro became the oldest recipient of Finals MVP, dislodging LA Tenorio who was 36 during Ginebra’s 2020 All-Filipino bubble win.

“Sobrang special kasi andun na ako sa latter part (of career), ilang years na lang. Pero hangga’t nandito ako, ibibigay ko 'yung best ko and inaalagaan ko naman ‘yung katawan ko, pati ‘yung mental. I think kaya ko pang makipag-compete,” he said.

Nambatac is possibly the happiest among the lot.

“After seven years, finally nakaabot din sa tuktok,” said the veteran guard, who hadn't reached the finals until his maiden conference with TNT. “Honestly, minsan nang dumating talaga sa isip ko na nawalan na ako ng pagasa na makaabot pa sa finals. But then again, blessing na napunta ako sa TNT. ‘Naging motivation ko na ito ‘yung best shot na makatikim ako ng finals and makapag-champoon. And andito na ako finally. Masasabi ko sa sarili ko na isa na akong champion sa PBA.”