MANILA, Philippines – The pride of champions and the sting of unresolved business accompany the TNT Tropang Giga as they head into the 2019 PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.  The team lost to San Miguel Beer in six games in the All-Filipino conference finals last season, just missing a historic grand slam after a strong run in the Governors’ and Commissioners’ Cups.  Since then, that loss has acted as a reminder and a source of inspiration.  Redemption is now the main motivation for the Tropang Giga’s campaign, and they view the Philippine Cup as the league’s crown jewel rather than just another competition.

One of the team’s most dependable players, RR Pogoy, acknowledged that the lost chance still bothers him.  It is a difficult pill to swallow to lose in the finals, especially when you are so close to achieving the uncommon achievement of a grand slam.  However, Pogoy stressed that hunger is also a result of setbacks.  TNT has the opportunity to turn that disappointment into resolve in the upcoming season.  He stated that the objective is to not just compete but also to regain the crown that was lost.

Similar thoughts were expressed by head coach Chot Reyes, who described the previous season as a success overall but admitted that the club eventually failed when it counted most.  The lesson is obvious for Reyes, who has led the team through both heartbreaking losses and championship highs: the Philippine Cup demands mental toughness, laser-like focus, and the understanding that every opponent will give it their all against TNT.  He pointed out that the conference is now much more competitive than it was in the past since opposing teams have retooled and improved during the offseason.

Notwithstanding these difficulties, TNT has a core group of seasoned professionals who understand how to prevail in high-stakes situations.  They are confident going into the Philippine Cup thanks to their title pedigree.  Players with experience in high-pressure situations, such as Pogoy, Mikey Williams, and Jayson Castro, have demonstrated their ability to step up when things get tough.  But how the supporting cast works in tandem with the headliners is crucial.  In order to prevent the veterans from being overworked throughout the rigors of a lengthy conference, younger players must come up, contribute regularly, and offer depth.

TNT has focused its efforts on improving defensive discipline and execution.  Reyes underlined the importance of honing late-game judgment and making sure rotations stay strong, particularly in final minutes when even the smallest errors can determine results.  The intensity and short timeframe of the Philippine Cup may quickly wear teams down, thus conditioning is another important consideration.  Reyes wants his team to maintain their intensity throughout the campaign in addition to getting off to a solid start.

The group is also aware of the extremely high standards.  Fans and commentators will view any appearance in the finals that falls short of a grand slam as disappointing.  TNT knows that its reputation has become a target, and defeating them adds credibility and motivation to opponents.  In a field where parity has become more pronounced, the Tropang Giga is forced by this reality to be consistent because mistakes will not go unpunished.

Expectations, however, can also be a source of fuel.  The disappointment of losing the Philippine Cup the previous year may be what keeps TNT motivated and tenacious.  In order to demonstrate that the franchise is not characterized by a missed grand slam but rather by its capacity to recover and complete what was left undone, each game is an opportunity to rewrite the story.  Winning the Philippine Cup, regaining respect, and solidifying their reputation as one of the most dominant teams of this age are the goals for Reyes and his players.

TNT ought to be among the best bets in the Philippine Cup futures market from a betting standpoint.  They are quite dependable in both straight-up victories and series bets because of their championship experience and drive to prove themselves.  Early-season games may also be worthwhile for bettors because TNT’s will to set the tone may lead to decisive wins.