MANILA, Philippines — May mga nararamdamang injury sina TNT Tropang Giga veteran forward Kelly Williams at big man Ian Sangalang at combo guard Paul Lee ng Magnolia.
Ngunit ayon kay eight-time champion coach Chot Reyes, hindi na ito mahalaga pagdating sa isang championship series.
“It’s both teams, I don’t think you get into the finals injury-free,” wika ni Reyes. “They have our injuries, we have our injuries. In the Finals you come out and play your best.”
Hangad makalapit sa inaasam na korona, lalabanan ng Tropang Giga ni Reyes ang Hotshots ni mentor Chito Victolero ngayong alas-4:35 ng hapon sa Game Three ng 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals sa Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym sa Bacolor, Pampanga.
Maglalaro pa rin para sa kanilang mga koponan sina Kelly Williams (back injury), Sangalang (back spasms) at Lee (shoulder injury).
Dinomina ng TNT ang Magnolia sa Game One, 88-70 at Game Two, 105-93, para iposte ang 2-0 lead sa kanilang best-of-seven titular showdown.
Huling nagkampeon ang PLDT franchise noong 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Sa Game Two ay nagtala ang Tropang Giga ng bagong PBA Finals record laban sa Hotshots.
Nagsalpak ang TNT ng 13 three-point shots sa first half na sumira sa 11 triples ng San Miguel sa Game Two ng 2019 Commissio-ner’s Cup at sa Game Four ng 2017 Philippine Cup.
“We always say in our offense that the ball has energy, so if they’re willing to share it and move then we just find the open men,” ani Reyes.
Bumida si rookie guard Mikey Williams sa nasabing tagumpay ng Tropang Giga sa tinapos niyang 28 points, 9 rebounds at 6 assists.