Chot says Tropang Giga yet to reach elite status

MANILA, Philippines – With the quarterfinal race heating up, the TNT Tropang Giga underscored the need to play a full 48 minutes of quality basketball. 

The Tropang Giga stormed back from a 23-point deficit on Wednesday and held on against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 108-101. 

TNT head coach Chot Reyes after the game said that with just two games remaining in their elimination round, the team is still a work in progress. 

He admitted that the team is “very far” from elite status.

“We’re still a work in progress. We’re very far I think from the elite teams in the league. And we talked a lot about it as a team, we haven’t played a complete game yet,” he told reporters after the win. 

“[Against] Ginebra, we played the terrible first half and a great second half. When you play teams, quality teams like that, it’s hard to win games. Same thing today, terrible first half, great second half. So we have to continue working and fixing, finding solutions to be able to play a full 48 minutes,” he added. 

In their final two games, the Tropang Giga will be facing the Converge FiberXers and the Magnolia Hotshots. 

“So even before thinking the next two games, that’s our bigger priority — how we can put together a full 48-minute quality game.” 

On Wednesday, the team started out looking fatigued, going down by as much as 13 points in the first quarter. 

They then trailed by 23 in the second quarter, 62-39. 

Come the second half, TNT stormed back and used a massive 42 to 19 third frame to wrest control of the game, 84-81. 

The Tropang Giga kept the Fuel Masters at bay throughout the game as the latter ran out of gas. 

“I think to really win these close games is going to matter later on if we can get there [deep in the playoffs]. The problem is can we get there. If we are playing… unless we are able string together a 48-minute game, we’re not going to be able to get in a position where we can,” Reyes said.

“Like I said, even before thinking about these things, we have to figure out what we need to do first to get to those true 48-minute game. So I think it’s going to help us down the line if we can get there. The most important thing for us is to get there first, that’s what we should focus on first,” he added.

For his part, Kelly Williams said that while the team is capable of going deep into the playoffs, it’s up to the players themselves. 

“I think we have the capability to get to where we want to be, we just need to take some time and guys really reflecting on themselves and reflecting on what the team needs from each one. Throw the biggest punch we have in these last few games and hopefully get to the playoffs.” 

The Tropang Giga are currently holding a 5-4 win-loss slate, good for solo fifth in the elimination round. 

They are currently behind the 7-0 San Miguel Beermen, the 5-2 Magnolia, the 6-3 Ginebra and the 5-3 NLEX Road Warriors. 

The squad is a half-game ahead of the 5-5 Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Terrafirma Dyip.