TNT Tropang 5G huffed and puffed as it inched closer to a historic grand slam following a bruising victory over Rain or Shine in Game 6 of their Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal series late Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT star forward Calvin Oftana said they were already running on fumes when they eked out the crucial win that put them four victories away from winning the all-Filipino crown and becoming the fifth franchise to win the rare grand slam.
The road to the finals was littered with a lot of challenges for the Tropang 5G.
They opened the conference without veteran playmaker Jayson Castro, who crashed with a season-ending patellar injury in Game 2 of their Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series against the Elasto Painters last May. As if it wasn’t enough, another crucial piece of their championship puzzle in Rey Nambatac went down with a groin injury, dealing a major blow to their Philippine Cup campaign.
TNT tried to solve its manpower woes by shipping inactive guard Mikey Williams to Converge in exchange for Jordan Heading, who was also suffering a nagging back injury.
Fortunately, Heading was able to suit up to supply the firepower that paved the way for the Tropang 5G to make it to the semifinals.
But TNT’s injuries woes didn’t end there.
Two-way guard Roger Pogoy was sidelined with a pulled hamstring while veteran Kelly Williams rolled his ankle in Game 4 of their semis series against the Elasto Painters. On the same note, Oftana tweaked his right ankle after stepping on Gabe Norwood’s foot before hurting his other ankle in Game 4, prompting him to take painkillers just to see action in Games 5 and 6.
Oftana admitted that their team may look like a hospital ward but they are not giving up as their dream of winning a grand slam together with proud franchises like Crispa, San Miguel Beer, Alaska, and San Mig Coffee is burning.
“We’re already beaten up. Only the medicines (painkillers) are fighting for us,” said Oftana, who scored 12 points and triggered a decisive 14-2 run with a three-point play in the crucial stretch of the decider despite nursing a swollen ankle.
“But no excuses. We’re here for basketball. We love basketball. Of course, at the end of the day, this is still basketball, this is our livelihood. So, we really have to fight for it.”
Oftana admitted that he took three different kinds of painkillers to make him available for the crucial battle.
“I took three painkillers so that I’ll be able to play tonight,” he said, adding that they have no time to complain as they chase their third title in three conferences.
“But as coach (Chot Reyes) said we have to focus on recovery and, when Game 1 comes around, we have to work hard until the end of the series.”
Pogoy agrees, saying that he was trying his best to play despite his limited movement. In fact, he could have suited up had the series extended to Game 7.
“I’m slowly working my way back to shape. Had there been a Game 7, I would have tried my best to play,” said Pogoy, who was spotted doing no-contact drills.
“I’m just shooting. I’m not yet running. I’m slowly working my way back. Our PT (physical therapist)said that I can play when I’m already able to run.”
Reyes lauded the fighting spirit of his wards, stressing that they really wanted to win the championship despite their banged-up bodies.
“We were able to overcome a lot of injuries but as you saw today, these guys, they do not know the meaning of quit,” Reyes, who was even suspended in Game 5 due to technical fouls, said.
“They just keep on fighting. As long as you keep fighting, you give yourself a chance.”
With TNT safely in the finals — and the other semifinal series between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer extending to do-or-die Game 7 — Game 1 of the championship showdown will not be held until Sunday.
Pogoy welcomes the development as one full week will give him ample time to recover.
“I was really praying hard for us to win because if ever, our Game 1 will be on Sunday. I still have one week to rest and recover. We’ll see,” said Pogoy, who is itching to help his teammates win the season-ending crown.
“I’m hoping and praying that I can finally return and play. It’s hard to watch seeing your teammates working hard while you’re just watching from the bench.”
“But I’m not thinking about it. What we’re thinking of is to rest and win Game 1. That’s it.”