COLUMN: TNT has never been the same since Mikey Williams left
COLUMN: TNT has never been the same since Mikey Williams left
CHICAGO – The mothership of the MVP group, well-funded and stacked with star talent, TNT is usually a shoo-in for a playoff spot in every conference.
More often than not, the Tropang Giga enter the postseason with a twice-to-beat advantage.
Their fortunes have since changed, dramatically.
READ Pogoy admits TNT faced coach Chot’s wrath after loss to Converge
With the PBA Philippine Cup winding down, TNT finds itself in the unusual spot of needing to beat tough but unpredictable Magnolia this Sunday just to hitch a ride to the quarterfinals.
Last conference, the Commissioner’s Cup, TNT was similarly situated. It beat Phoenix on its last play date to nail an No. 8 seed.
Once they got there, though, the Tropa were quickly dispatched by the top-seeded Hotshots. 109-94.
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
Several factors are fueling TNT’s reversal of fortunes, including injuries, most notably to Roger Pogoy and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, that ravaged them last conference.
They might not like to talk, let alone admit it, but the failure to re-sign disgruntled star Mikey Wiliams has greatly affected the team both from a public relations and court performance standpoint.
Attempts to reach coach Chot Reyes to comment for this piece were unsuccessful as of posting time, but days after TNT lost to Blackwater, 87-76, last March 2 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Reyes had this to say.
‘Teams are getting better.”
rr roger pogoy tnt converge pba
PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
Oh, that one, too.
In fact, perennial underachiever Terrafirma Dyip have a 5-5 win-loss record, a strong showing that is highlighted by a stunning 91-85 conquest of Ginebra last April 7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
NLEX, traditionally the weakest among the MVP teams, is thriving with a 5-4 card. With his ferociously blue-collar approach, coach Frankie Lim is pushing both the Road Warriors and the right buttons.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT SHINES.
Coach Yeng Guiao, meanwhile, continues to champion the cause of the independent teams by continuing to poke at the established teams. After a slow start, the Elasto Painters are also 5-5.
While some of TNT’s issues – improved competition and the alleged unwillingness of Williams to return to the negotiating table – are beyond its control, some are.
Inconsistency and complacency to name two.
While the Tropang have shown that they can still hang with the heavyweights – losing to San Miguel and Ginebra by just a combined six points – they struggled in their wins over Terrafirma and Meralco.
But the most damaging self-inflicted wound was their 107-103 demise at the hands of a Converge FiberXers team that were 1-9 entering the jump.
With Calvin Oftana and Roger Pogoy, plus two Rossers – Brandon and Matt – and Jayson Castro, I still think TNT has enough manpower to make a playoffs push.
It’s all up to Coach Chot now to weave his magic.