BY UTILIZING its defensive chops to the fullest, TNT managed to gain the headstart over Rain or Shine in their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals duel.
Still, coach Chot Reyes knows his Tropang Giga need to continue exerting more effort against the equally-determined Elasto Painters starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday when the series shifts to the PhilSports Arena.
"It's going to be a grind the whole way through. We have no illusions that this would be easy, by any means," said Reyes.
"They're a very well-balanced, well-constructed, well-coached team," added Reyes. "They're very versatile, they have a great import with them so we really have to be at our best."
That was partly true for TNT when it carved out an 88-84 decision in the best-of-seven series' opener last Wednesday, when Reyes' side made up for its main man's offensive struggles with some nifty defense.
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Just as Reyes predicted it should since top local gunner Calvin Oftana spent time away due to his Gilas Pilipinas duties and Rain or Shine averaged a tournament-best 114.67 points in its best-of-three quarterfinals duel with Converge.
"Sabi namin without Calvin our offense would suffer so kailangan talaga naming mabawi iyon with our defense and I think that's what happened in this ballgame," noted Reyes. "We won this not with our offense but with our defense, limiting them to below 90 points."
The E-Painters did find it hard to execute, particularly at winning time. In the final 6:17 of the game, they managed just three charities points while shooting 0-of-11 from the field, including five muffed 3-point tries.
That was indeed a sorry ending for Rain or Shine, which got off to as much as a 37-28 lead and did a splendid defensive job on TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the early goings before its listless finish helped along by a total 22 turnovers.
Hollis-Jefferson still wound up with 23 points, but only on a lowly 8-of-27 field shooting. Helping atone for his poor shooting were his 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and a steal.
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Reyes said Hollis-Jefferson's shooting struggles even proved to be a blessing in disguise as Jayson Castro and Calvin Oftana both got the chance to combine for 46 points, including 12 of TNT's total 14 triples.
"They did a really good job shutting down Rondae and when that happens it opens it up for our other players. So Jayson got a lot of looks, Calvin got a lot of looks as well," noted Reyes. "'Yun 'yung dynamics ng team, 'yun ang pinag-preparasyon namin while Calvin was away. We said the only way we will win this game, really, was with our defense."
For sure, Rain or Shine's locals are bristling to step up and ease some of the burden off import Deon Thompson, who produced 29 points and 16 rebounds in the opener but was harassed by TNT's own swarming defense into committing seven turnovers.
In one of his rare starts, Adrian Nocum also had a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, but the likes of Jhonard Clarito, Santi Santillan and Andrei Caracut must also chip in more than their ample share. (NC)
