(PBA images)
It’s been a grueling road, but TNT Tropang 5G is knocking on the door of PBA history.
On Friday night at the PhilSports Arena, the Tropang Giga will play their 75th game of the season—tying the long-standing record set by Alaska Milk. For head coach Chot Reyes and his battered but unbowed squad, it’s more than just a numbers milestone. It’s about legacy, grit, and pushing beyond exhaustion.
“We’re in the final week of a long, long season,” Reyes reminded his players. “Let’s make it the best week yet.”
The goal is simple but monumental: force a Game 7 against powerhouse San Miguel Beer. After their gutsy 86-78 win in Game 5, TNT still clings to its Grand Slam dream, needing back-to-back wins to pull off a stunning series comeback.
Friday’s 7:30 p.m. showdown promises fireworks, with TNT riding a wave of heart and desperation. San Miguel, meanwhile, is eager to end the series and avoid the chaos of a do-or-die finale. The Beermen know momentum can swing fast—and they don’t want TNT hanging around any longer than necessary.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, TNT’s warrior in the trenches, embodied the squad’s never-say-die spirit in Game 5. Despite being down to a nine-man rotation and missing key players like Jayson Castro, Rey Nambatac, and Poy Erram, the Tropa fought tooth and nail to extend their season.
Reyes praised his team’s spirit after Wednesday’s win, saying, “I saw a lot of fight and just an unwillingness to give up. This group has been through so much—we’re not ready to quit now.”
San Miguel, whose three-game winning streak was snapped in Game 5, now faces the challenge of regaining control before TNT gains even more steam. The Beermen remain a formidable force, but the Tropa’s resilience has turned the tide into a battle of willpower as much as talent.
With one more win, TNT can drag this series into a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday—same venue, same energy, but with everything on the line.
The season has been long. The injuries are piling up. But for TNT, the mission is clear: fight with everything left in the tank and write one final unforgettable chapter.