ni Clyde Mariano @Sports | Nov. 9, 2024
Photo: Ang pagtaas ng Governor's Cup trophy ng Talk 'N Text Tropang Giga nang magkampeon sa PBA sa tuwa ni coach Chot Reyes. (Reymundo Nillama)
Ang matagumpay na title retention ng Talk 'N Text Tropang Giga sa PBA 49th Governor's Cup ayon kay coach Chot Reyes laban sa mortal na karibal na Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings ay bunga ng sipag, tiyaga, pagtitiis, sakripisyo, at determinasyon. “Hindi namin magagawa kung wala ang mga ito,” ani Reyes sa panayam ng reporter na ito matapos sagutin ang lahat ng mga katanungan ng mga reporters sa post-game 6 interview matapos mapanatili ang korona sa Governor’s Cup na pinanood ni team owner Manny V. Pangilinan.
“We patiently worked hard for 4 months, rain or shine sharpening our offense and solidify our defense because our goal is to keep the crown, and we made it despite undergoing trials, hardship and difficulties.” “Sa wakas lahat ng paghihirap na pinagdaanan namin ay nagbunga at nagkaroon ng katuparan. Matagumpay na naipagtanggol namin ang korona. I couldn’t ask for more,” nakangiting sinabi ni Reyes.
“Bawat tagumpay sa sports at sa ibang field of endeavors always associated with sacrifice. There is no victory without sacrifice. I am believer of this. All my success in the PBA were born out of sacrifice,” wika ni Reyes.
Ang titulo ang pang-11 ng 60-year old veteran TNT bench tactician at ang kanyang tinalo ay ang kanyang dating mentor. Nagsilbi si Reyes na assistant coach ni Cone sa Alaska noong 1990s. Binigo ni Reyes si Cone na target ang pang 26th title mula 1994 kasama ang dalawang grandslam 1996 at 2014.
“Nagdaan kami lahat sa pagsubok from Day 1 up to the finals. Naging roller-coaster ride ang laro namin. We confronted challenges tangible and intangible coming our way. We successfully hurdled and overcame obstacles and hindrances,” sabi ni Reyes.
Pinuri ni Reyes ang tagumpay ng kanyang players lalo na sa kanilang magandang nilaro sa Game 6 na muling nagdala sa TNT sa tugatog nang tagumpay at binigo si coach Tim Cone at ang Kings sa korona.
“I praised them for a job well done. All of them contributed to the victory, Matapang at walang takot na hinarap ang lahat ng mga pagsubok confronted along the way and at the end of the day emerged victorious. They showed the heart of a champion,” giit ni Reyes.
Tinalo ng TNT ang Barangay sa Game 6 sa jampacked na Smart Araneta Coliseum. Pinuri rin ni Reyes si import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sa kanyang magandang nilaro. Tumipa ang 26-anyos na enforcer na taga-Pennsylvania state ng 31 points, 18 rebounds at eight assists sa 47 minuto sa court.
“Rondae once again proved himself to our legion of fans and doubters he can carry TNT to the podium liked he did last year. He proved himself he is a better import,” sabi ni Reyes. Nanaig si RHJ sa nanlamig na Justin Brownlee na gumawa lamang ng 16 points at 6 rebounds. “Justin played great against San Miguel. He tumbled against TNT. He is no superman,” sabi ni coach Tim Cone.
Sinabi ni Reyes na maglalaro uli si RHJ sa TNT sa 2025 Governor’s Cup. “Nangako siya na babalik sa bansa at maglalaro uli sa TNT sa Governor’s Cup next year,” sabi ni Reyes. Itinanghal si RHJ bilang best import at si Jayson Castro bilang best player of the game at finals MVP.
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