THE TNT coaching staff being familiar with free agent guard Mike Tolomia paved the way for his eventual signing by the telecommunication franchise in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
With injuries hounding the Tropang Giga, Tolomia suited up right away for the team even with the benefit of just a day of practice, and contributed in a 101-98 thriller against the Converge FiberXers.
The 30-year-old product of Far Eastern University finished with four points, two rebounds, and an assist in 17 extended minutes of playing as he tries to fill in the gap at the backcourt with the absence of injured Kib Montalbo and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.
"Ang daming walang point guard sa amin. And I have to rely on Mike kasi beterano si Mike, kahit paano he has the experience," said coach Jojo Lastimosa.
The connection between Lastimosa and Tolomia goes way back during their time together at FEU, where the TNT mentor once served as part of the Tamaraws' coaching staff.
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"Kilala ko siya from FEU (before)," said Lastimosa, noting it was deputy coach Josh Reyes who suggested signing Tolomia to help man the fort for the shorthanded Tropang Giga.
Like Jolas, Reyes was also a former member of the FEU coaching staff.
"It was Josh who recommended that Mike is available, and kailangan namin siya," said Lastimosa.
With a depleted backcourt, main man Jayson Castro has to play extended minutes for TNT, so much so the arrival of Tolomia as one of his main back ups along with Brian Heruela couldn't have come at a perfect time.
"Naawa rin ako that Jason is there most of the time that I wanted somebody there to control our game," said Lastimosa. "And Mike is one of those guys na kaya niyang mag-control ng game even with just one practice."
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Tolomia, whose last team was Converge, was signed by TNT for the remainder of the season-opening conference. (RG)
