TNT message sent: We’re back!

MANILA, Philippines — The emotional celebration they did when the final buzzer sounded illustrated just how much this long-overdue PBA Philippine Cup triumph meant to the TNT Tropang Giga.

Coach Chot Reyes spent a few moments by himself in one corner of the Don Honorio Ventura State U Gym. RR Pogoy went down on one knee crying. Poy Erram lay on the floor with arms open wide.

Friday night’s special – a culmination of their countless hours of hard work, time away from their families, everyday battle with injuries and the virus itself – was certainly one for the books.

“Every championship is special pero iba talaga ito,” Reyes, said in the Power and Play program on Radyo Singko yesterday.

Reyes struck gold in his first season back from a long break, winning the crown jewel nine years after steering TNT to the 2012 All-Filipino crown. On their way to the top, his troops had to get past heavyweights Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer and Magnolia.

“First of all, ang tagal kong nawala. Secondly, iyung dinaanan namin to claim this championship ay hindi biro. Who would have imagined we would play all those teams in the playoffs? So in that sense, ibang iba talaga,” said Reyes, now tied with the legendary Baby Dalupan for most All-Filipino titles with six.

He tagged this 2021 conquest as the most difficult among the nine total championships under his belt.

“Put everything together: The uncertainty of the pre-season and then the unpredictability nung nag-start and then nag-pause, and then this is also our ninth week away from our families. Mahirap talaga,” he said.

Well, he had one family member in this bubble - his son and assistant coach Josh Reyes.

The elder Reyes posted a photo of the two of them with the Jun Bernardino Trophy captioned: “A championship made all the more special ‘coz it was won with my first born Josh Reyes. #Family.”

Pogoy, Erram and super rookie Mikey Williams enjoyed their first taste of PBA success

“Sobrang sarap talaga. Ilang years ko ring hinintay ito, five years,” said Pogoy, who had three previous bridesmaid finishes.

The wait was longer for Castro, Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes, whose last title ride was six years ago.

“Last championship ko wala pa akong anak, ngayon tatlo na. Ganoon katagal pero sulit,” said Castro.

It was the sweetest homecoming for Castro, who started his basketball dreams in the Bacolor school.

“Talagang hindi ko ma-imagine na dito ko ulit makukuha yung championship. Sobrang special sa akin ito,” said “The Blur.”