The TNT Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam hopes could have slipped away, however for head coach Chot Reyes, the journey was nothing wanting commendable.
The multi-titled tactician praised his gamers for enduring a grueling PBA season, one which noticed them seize the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup earlier than falling brief within the season-ending Philippine Cup in opposition to San Miguel.
“So, so pleased with this staff. I feel our chairman MVP put it greatest, he mentioned, ‘Our heads bowed in sorrow however not in disgrace,’” Reyes mentioned following their 107-96 loss in Sport 6 on Friday.
“I informed the gamers hindi biro yung ginawa natin na nagtatlong finals tayo and we gained two of them. There’s completely no bitterness in my coronary heart. Like we mentioned, time for the gamers to relaxation, 75 video games isn’t any joke in a single yr.”
[I told the players what we did was no joke, making three finals and we won two of them. There’s absolutely no bitterness in my heart. Like we said, time for the players to rest, 75 games is no joke in one year.]
It has been a troublesome marketing campaign for TNT with a string of accidents in the end derailing their Grand Slam bid.
They first misplaced the backcourt tandem of Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac earlier than one other guard in Simon Enciso and veteran large man Poy Erram additionally joined the damage record, leaving TNT with a skinny lineup heading into the finals.
Nonetheless, they stored up with the Beermen, drawing first blood with a slim 99-96 win in Sport 1. They, nevertheless, misplaced the following three video games earlier than mounting an enormous combat in Sport 5 to increase their life and drag San Miguel to a Sport 6.
However San Miguel proved an excessive amount of for the undermanned Tropang 5G, because the Beermen made positive to shut out the collection and deny TNT any likelihood at a comeback.
Reyes, although, harassed there have been no regrets regardless of lacking out on the historic Grand Slam.
“I’ve completely no regrets. Like I mentioned, once we began the collection, I by no means coached for the Grand Slam. I’d reasonably nearly have it than not get there. Okay na sa akin ‘yun, palagi akong muntik muntik, okay na sa akin ‘yun,” he added.
“I’m positive there are 10 different coaches within the league who can be in my place. Okay na sa’kin yun, pamuntik muntik, a minimum of umaabot ako doon. I’ll take that ache anytime.”
[I have absolutely no regrets. Like I said, when we started the series, I never coached for the Grand Slam. I’d rather almost have it than not get there. That’s okay with me, always coming close, that’s okay with me… I’m sure there are 10 other coaches in the league who would be in my position. That’s okay with me, coming close. At least, I reached that point. I’ll take that pain anytime.]
—JMB, GMA Built-in Information