FROM where the TNT Tropang Giga is standing, a trip to the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals is well within sight.
And so expect the reigning Governors' Cup kingpins to go all out as they try to finish off tough semis rival Rain or Shine in Game 5 Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Though carrying a seemingly commanding 3-1 lead, it has been tooth and nail all the way and TNT coach Chot Reyes expects nothing less in their closeout mission at 5 p.m.
"We talked about it and we know that it's going to be a very difficult series for us," said Reyes, whose troops have subdued ROS by an average margin of 4.67 points and lost Game 3 by five.
"But like I said, we're very grateful to be in this position, grateful that we get to do this. We chose this, pinili namin pumasok sa semis and to compete and this is part of the deal," added Reyes as TNT navigates this rocky path without veteran Jayson Castro.
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Conceding is farthest from ROS' minds.
"Hindi pa naman tapos, may Friday pa," said Elasto Painters mentor Yeng Guiao. "We'll watch film, do walkthroughs, see adjustments. Hindi pa tapos ito, definitely hindi pa tapos ito."
After falling short of grabbing a 3-0 lead and yielding Game 3, 98-103, the Tropang Giga quickly bounced back in the next match and nailed that pivotal Win No. 3 via a 93-85 verdict.
TNT used a simple formula to give itself stronger chances of success.
"Iyung sinabi ni coach, iyung sinulat niya sa board na mission namin is being better sa lahat ng aspects - better screeners, better energy - and iyung pinapakita namin doon sa loob, gusto lang namin i-prove sa sa sa sarili namin na kaya naman pala namin mag ganon. Kulang lang sa effort sa past game," said Calvin Oftana, who led TNT with 26 in Game 4.
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For ROS, there's an urgent need to get more local support. In their Game 4 loss, the E-Painters relied heavily on import Deon Thompson, who banged in 44 points while no one else scored higher than nine. In contrast, TNT drew a combined 69 from Oftana, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac and KimAurin as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered 17 plus 11 boards.
"It was a bad shooting night for us. Si Deon maganda nilaro, naka 44 points and I think that's his highest scoring game. Too bad it came when 'yung locals namin malamig," said Guiao.
"But then kahit na malamig iyung locals namin we were able to keep the game close." (OL)
