TNT head coach Chot Reyes doesn’t mind missing his shots on the green as long as his players make theirs in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals series against Barangay Ginebra.
The Tropang Giga were lights out from the three-point area on their way to drawing first blood in the best-of-seven showdown, 95-89, Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Reyes earlier in the day was misfiring even point-blank putts in the 34th Bill Shaw Golf Classic in Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong.
“I played in a golf tournament this morning and I was missing putts this short. They kept flipping out. Par na, labas pa,” he shared laughing during the post-game interview.
“I said it’s OK if I miss my shots now as long as my players make their shots tonight. Luckily, that’s what happened. I’ll take that anytime.”
It was indeed a fair trade as TNT nailed 14-of-37 treys including an incredible six in a row in the closing stretch of the opening period that gave the team the separation it needed to take control of the match.
RR Pogoy drilled three consecutive triples followed by three more from Calvin Oftana, Glenn Khobuntin and Rey Nambatac in a decisive 18-4 rally to turn a three-point deficit into an 11-point advantage entering the second canto.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson then took over in the second quarter scoring 18 of his game-high 34 points in the period as the Tropang Giga dictated the pace the rest of the way.
“In the end, like Rondae said, we can play all the defense we want but the game is still about putting the ball in the hoop. It’s still about scoring points,” Reyes said as TNT draws closer to a follow up title after ruling the season-opening Governors’ Cup at the expense of the same rival.
“The key is for us to get good shots. As long as we consistently get good shots. Some will fall, some will not. At least the entire objective of our offense is to get good shots.”
When Ginebra was forced to double up on Hollis-Jefferson, it opened up good looks for TNT’s snipers.
“I think that’s what you saw when they weren’t helping too much on Rondae, he was making his points and then when they started helping out against Rondae it opened up the others,” Reyes said.
“Kim (Aurin) made a three, Glenn made a couple, Rey made a couple aside of course of Roger and Calvin. Hopefully, we can sustain that. That’s the shooting we need.”
Asked if he’d sacrifice his swings once again on the golf course to take Game 2 on Sunday at the same venue, Reyes flashed a smile.
“Secret!” he quipped.