TNT’s next goal: Twin kill

MANILA, Philippines — By retaining the crown in PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, TNT has moved in position for a potential “twin kill” in the season.

The Tropang Giga, who disposed of challenger Barangay Ginebra in six games, will attempt to make it two in a row in the coming Commissioner’s Cup possibly with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still in tow.

While doing a post-mortem on the Governors’ Cup triumph, TNT coach Chot Reyes said the squad is already shifting focus to the second conference, which begins Nov. 27.

“Part of my growth and development as a coach is to reflect on what we did, how we won this championship. But now I’m already thinking of the next conference and what we could do to try and come back, make it back here (championship podium),” Reyes said.

The PBA hasn’t seen back-to-back conquests in a single season since San Miguel Beer ruled the first two conferences in 2019, the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.

The pandemic-hit season in 2020 featured one bubble conference, ruled by the Gin Kings, while 2021 was a two-conference offering seeing TNT (All-Filipino) and Ginebra (Governors’ Cup) splitting honors.

After that, the pro league reverted to three conferences in 2022 with different winners – SMB (Philippine Cup), Ginebra (Commissioner’s Cup) and TNT (Governors’ Cup).

Last season, only two conferences were held with the Beermen reigning supreme in the Commissioner’s Cup and Meralco copping its first championship and denying SMB of a season sweep in the Philippine Cup.

As a franchise, TNT last won a golden double in 2010 – the All-Filipino and Commissioner’s Cup – also under Reyes. It fell short of a grand slam, though, losing to Petron in the duel for the Governors’ Cup title then.

TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa said the plan is to enlist the 6-foot-6 RHJ anew in the tournament allowing imports of unlimited height.

“With that performance, we are now thinking of bringing him back next conference and running back again,” said Lastimosa. “That’s the plan, That’s our plan.”

He stressed that TNT is putting premium on player quality and team chemistry than height.

“It’s unli-height but there’s not a lot of big guys coming in. Maybe the biggest is 6-10, which is okay. We’re used to 6-10 with June Mar (Fajardo) of San Miguel,” he said.

“I think it's not a big advantage if you're two or three inches taller. And the continuity (with RHJ), that's something else. That counts for something,” he added.