MVP’s challenge: Get the next

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan was presented the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship trophy by TNT Tropa during a lunch meeting at Meralco last Sunday and challenged the team to get ready for the next conference, the Philippine Cup, which starts Friday. A third straight crown will seal a rare Grand Slam for the franchise this season.

MVP flew in from Hong Kong at 12:20 p.m. and straight from the PLDT hangar, motored to Meralco to host the TNT coaches, players and staff. He attended the First Pacific Board meeting in Hong Kong last Friday and watched Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals on a YouTube link that night over Chinese dinner with his staff.

PBA chairman and TNT Board Governor Ricky Vargas said, “after the pleasantries and congratulation messages, MVP challenged the team to start preparing for the Philippine Cup.” MVP’s drive for excellence has been TNT’s inspiration from the onset and continues to be its motivation.

Vargas said after Justin Brownlee hit a three to force OT last Friday, it was anybody’s game. “Honestly, I felt Ginebra had the advantage but when we scored the first six points in OT, I knew we were determined to fight on,” he said. “Seeing RHJ (Rondae Hollis-Jefferson) hurt and playing his heart out, it brought back my confidence that we had a strong chance of winning and we did.”

Before Game 7, Vargas spoke to the team in the lockerroom. “I asked them to clear their minds of any negatives, stay connected and encourage each other,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason. Win or lose, I hope you find it.” Vargas said a Grand Slam was never a goal but now that the team is one jewel away from bagging it, why not?

Team manager Jojo Lastimosa said RHJ is locked in for the Governors’ and Commissioner’s Cups next season. “We already committed to him and in fact, he’s coming back during the Philippine Cup to do some clinics nationwide which is part of the deal he signed with TNT while not playing,” he added. “Despite not being 100 percent, RHJ gutted it out in the Finals. Didn’t shoot the ball really well but he just meshed with his teammates really well.”

Vargas said RHJ is surely the PBA’s best import today. “It’s looking like he’s in the same class as Bobby Parks, Norman Black, Brownlee and the others but only time will confirm if he’s one of the all-time greatest imports,” he noted.