For TNT, the long holiday break meant rest and recovery.
Coach Chot Reyes certainly welcomed the 18-day respite for the Tropang Giga to fully recuperate from the wear and tear of the games, which began with their successful title retention bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Never mind that the team is currently on a two-game winning run, which evened its record at 2-2 going into its three-week break in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Tropang Giga last played on Dec. 19, when it defeated Blackwater 109-93. It will return to the court on Jan. 7 against the Meralco Bolts.
“Buti na lang meron kaming mahabang break for us to recover,” said Reyes.
TNT’s heart and soul Jayson Castro, big man Poy Erram, and even import Rondae Hollis Jefferson are still nursing injuries but trying to play through them.
After resting his hurting knee, Castro came back and played his first game of the conference against Blackwater. He finished with 16 points, including his first-ever career four-point shot.
Erram, meanwhile, hurt his back following a nasty fall against the Bossing, while Hollis-Jefferson is favoring an ankle injury.
“If you noticed, he’s (Hollis-Jefferson) not 100 percent because he has a slight ankle sprain. Hopefully, this break helped him get better and recover,” added Reyes, the two-time Best Import and former NBA player.
The team also expects former MVP Kelly Williams to rejoin the Tropang Giga when it resumes its campaign in the mid-season conference.
With the injuries to TNT’s key players, Reyes was satisfied with where his team currently stays in the standings.
“When I saw the schedule, sabi ko sana maka 3-1 kami. But 2-2 is not bad,” said the TNT coach.