TNT coach Chot Reyes was seen making a “use your brain” motion last Wednesday during the ongoing PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals vs Rain or Shine, in addition to scolding Kim Aurin last Sunday. The broadcast crew also saw Reyes making this gesture.

When the TNT big man was called for back-to-back fouls, both against Jhonard Clarito, at 9:28 in the third quarter, the gesture, which was also visible on TV, was initially aimed at Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

“That’s the kind of coach I am,” In response to a question concerning his gesture toward Ganuelas-Rosser, Reyes told media during Game 2. 

“My players know, they will hear it from me directly. That’s the culture that we have on our team. That’s how we communicate.”

Reyes stated that it was not shrewd for the former No. 1 selection to foul twice in ten seconds in the BGR scenario.

In Game 3, Reyes made headlines when he was spotted getting mad at Aurin for a bad foul with 0.8 seconds remaining in the first half, which gave Rain or Shine another chance to score.

Reyes was observed kicking the LED advertisement board in front of the TNT seat in addition to yelling insults at Aurin.

TNT is ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven semifinal series, which will now go to the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, despite ultimately losing Game 3, 107-86.

The players anticipated Reyes’s behavior toward Aurin in Game 3 and Ganuelas-Rosser in Game 2, and he has no intention of altering his behavior.

Meanwhile, seeing former members of San Miguel’s infamous “Death Five” in person to watch and support the team during its PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series versus Barangay Ginebra was a welcome change of pace for Marcio Lassiter.

Alex Cabagnot and former MVP Arwind Santos watched their former colleagues play the Gin Kings in Game 3 of their best-of-seven match on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite the Beermen losing 100-90 and now down 2-1 in the series, Lassiter was grateful for the two players’ presence.

“It was almost like a ‘Death Five’ reunion. It’s always great to see them there, good times. Happy that they came and support us,” the Fil-Am gunman said.

Two-thirds of SMB’s illustrious starting lineup, which also featured Lassiter, Chris Ross, and eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, consisted of Santos and Cabagnot.

San Miguel won eight victories behind the quintet, including five consecutive Philippine Cup triumphs between 2015 and 2019.

Santos and Cabagnot are currently members of the MPBL’s Basilan Viva Portmasters.

When Lassiter saw the two former Beermen at the Big Dome, he claimed to have been taken aback.

San Miguel needs to stay up with Ginebra’s pace.

However, despite Santos and Cabagnot supporting SMB, the top-seeded team was unable to overcome Ginebra, who went into transition mode to quicken the game’s pace because Fajardo has been dealing with a calf ailment.

In fastbreak points, the Gin Kings defeated the Beermen 15–8.