MANILA, Philippines – Despite finishing as runners-up against the San Miguel Beermen, TNT Tropang 5G received praise from PBA leadership and PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan for their heroic performance in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. Executives and coaching staff praised the team’s enthusiasm, tenacity, and refusal to give up in the face of overwhelming adversity, even if they lost out on a historic Grand Slam.

After winning the Commissioner’s Cup and the Governors’ Cup earlier in the season, TNT went into the Philippine Cup finals hoping to complete the three-conference sweep. However, their quest for a championship was hampered by injury. The injuries suffered by veterans Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, Calvin Oftana, Poy Erram, Simon Enciso, Kelly Williams, and others ranged from hamstring and high-ankle sprains to knee and groin strains. TNT made it to the finals and even won Game 1 despite having a much diminished team, but they ultimately lost to San Miguel 4–2.

When Pangilinan and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas visited the team after the game, Pangilinan praised their on-court performance and said that although the outcome was disappointing, there was no shame in their play. He underlined that TNT’s players fought valiantly and should be proud of advancing to the sixth game of the series in such difficult circumstances.

Coach Chot Reyes agreed, saying he was really proud of the team’s ability to overcome a difficult season. Few teams have the chance to pursue a Grand Slam, and even fewer manage to do so competitively when missing several important players, as Reyes noted. He emphasized that only one game had a full squad, and that TNT had such a run despite playing the majority of the playoffs without one. This demonstrates the team’s overall adaptability and tenacity from beginning to end.

The coach reaffirmed that although the loss is disappointing, their effort is not at all shameful. He praised his players for accepting the task and making the most of their available resources. Reyes confirmed that the season had been a victory of character and solidarity rather than a failure, despite the emotional toll of coming close.

TNT fought bravely throughout the series. Despite having to rely on youngsters and reserves, a number of role players stood up when it mattered most. The squad advanced to the finals after overcoming a 0–3 start in the eliminations and overcoming a twice-to-win disadvantage against Magnolia in the quarterfinals. These achievements demonstrate the group’s poise and never-say-die mentality.

Despite putting up a strong fight, TNT lost Game 6, which ended their finals campaign, 107-96. They kept working hard on both ends, even if the roster was smaller than they would have liked. As TNT faced San Miguel, the league’s most seasoned and deep lineup, headed by Finals MVP Jericho Cruz and Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo, every player still on the rotation accepted additional responsibility.

TNT’s message has remained constant from the executive suite to the bench: while it’s normal to be disappointed by the outcome, it shouldn’t overshadow the accomplishments. In his words to the squad, Pangilinan reiterated this, thanking them for their effort and encouraging them to keep their heads up. Reyes reaffirmed that the team competed with passion, fervor, and uncompromising professionalism and that making it to three finals in a single season is no small accomplishment.

This season’s journey for TNT created a story of perseverance. The squad triumphed over early setbacks, lineup problems, and the weight of huge expectations. Despite the short-lived Grand Slam fantasy, they depart the season with honor and dignity. The ad emphasized the contributions of both seasoned players and up-and-coming talent while fortifying ties within the team.

TNT is going to reflect and reorganize going forward. Rebuilding and reassessing player depth, rotations, and health are the goals of the leadership. It is anticipated that Castro, Nambatac, and other injured players would recover during the offseason. In order to improve team structure for upcoming campaigns, the management and coaching staff will draw on the experiences they have gained.

TNT takes important lessons from this finals run with them as they turn the page.