ROARING FOR REDEMPTION: TNT seeks to achieve rare grand slam

Undermanned and all, TNT Tropang 5G is determined to accomplish the unfinished business of completing a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) grand slam 14 years after its foiled attempt.

For head coach Chot Reyes the “G-word” was initially a topic he would rather skirt.

But after reigning supreme in the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup behind workhorse import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the mere murmur of a triple crown morphed into a thunderous roar, echoing through arenas and dominating sports headlines: the TNT Tropang 5Gs are on the cusp of history.

“I guess it couldn’t be avoided at this point, right? And I hope this is the last time you ask me about it,” Reyes quipped with a wry smile, addressing the media during the height of TNT’s second conference conquest.

Yet, even the seasoned tactician had to concede.

“But yeah, I acknowledge that fact now,” he said of the unavoidable topic of having the Tropang 5G near the feat achieved by only five franchises in the league’s storied past.

It was an acknowledgment born not of hubris, but of the undeniable momentum his team had built, driven by a philosophy etched in hard work and resilience.

“I’ve learned all my life that if you work hard, you put yourself in a good chance that good things will happen. It’s not a guarantee, but at least, you put yourself in a good position,” he said.

The PBA has only seen five grand slams. San Mig Coffee was the last franchise to achieve the feat in the 2013-2014 season under coach Tim Cone.

Reyes right now is on the threshold of joining other legendary tacticians in Baby Dalupan (Crispa), Tommy Manotoc (Crispa), Norman Black (San Miguel), and Cone (Alaska and San Mig Coffee) in the elite club of grand slam coaches.

The Philippine Cup is more than just a quest for the last and final jewel of the triple crown; it is a personal mission for Reyes.

A ghost from the past, the bitter memory of the 2010-2011 Talk ‘N Text squad that fell agonizingly short, losing the Governors’ Cup Finals to Petron in seven games after sweeping the first two conferences, still lingered.

This is his chance for redemption, not just for himself, but for a franchise that had tasted glory but never the ultimate, all-encompassing triumph.

From the onset, however, the Tropang 5G’s run turned into gloom.

Void of the heart and soul of the first two conferences in Hollis-Jefferson and the huge blow of losing veteran guard Jayson Castro to a season-ending knee injury, TNT didn’t have the same spark it had in the championship series.

The Tropang 5G dropped their first three games. Not the ideal start for a team aiming for the sky.

But there’s no quitting for TNT.

Reyes challenged his team.

The Tropang 5G responded with six straight wins, enough to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

However, the winning run came at a steep price as TNT lost Commissioner’s Cup Most Valuable Player Rey Nambatac to a conference-ending injury.

TNT replenished its depleted backcourt by signing Almond Vosotros and giving the rights for controversial guard Mikey Williams to Converge for Jordan Heading in time for the quarters showdown against twice-to-beat Magnolia.

In a hotly-contested quarterfinal series against a plucky Hotshots squad, TNT displayed the grit that brought success to the franchise in the past.

It was the elder statesman, Kelly Williams, who played the hero’s role, sinking the winning free throws in the nail-biting windup in both games in a shocking but not surprising reversal.

TNT’s fast-paced attacks, great ball movement and solid defense wrapped in great resolve showcased a brand of basketball defined by tenacity, not necessarily overwhelming talent.

“As you can see, we don’t really have the best talent, we really don’t have the deepest bench,” Reyes would often reiterate, subtly challenging perceptions.

“But there is something in our players. They just refuse to quit.”

This refusal to yield has become their calling card in the All-Filipino conference.

TNT booked a best-of-seven semifinals series against a familiar tough-fighting Rain or Shine — a third straight Final Four meeting this season.

Momentum is definitely on the Tropang 5G side as they drew first blood, 98-91.

One down and seven more wins to go to make history.

This time, Reyes and his crew are determined to banish the ghost of the past.

The redemption journey is nearing its climax.