TNT coach Chot Reyes is suspended for one game after incurring his fifth technical foul. This could bode well for Rain or Shine, which is fighting for dear life in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
One win away from another shot at glory, the TNT Tropang 5G are hoping to punch their ticket to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals when they face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinals on Friday, July 4.
Gametime is set at 5 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But TNT’s pursuit of a third straight finals berth and their ongoing Grand Slam bid won’t come easy.
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The Tropang 5G are dealing with major personnel concerns—none bigger than the absence of head coach Chot Reyes, who will reportedly serve a one-game suspension after drawing his fifth technical foul of the conference in Game 4. This was confirmed by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial to One Sports.
On top of that, three key players are questionable due to injuries: Kelly Williams (ankle), RR Pogoy (left hamstring), and Calvin Oftana (ankle).
Oftana, who hurt both ankles in their 108-92 Game 4 win on Wednesday, has vowed to play through pain if his team needs him.
“Lalaro talaga ako. Kailangan ko maglaro eh. Pero 'pag di naman ako kailangan… okay naman takbo, 'di ako lalaro,” said Oftana, who was clearly hampered but still contributed.
With Oftana limited and Pogoy still uncertain after injuring his left hamstring in Game 2, TNT turned to Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to carry the load in Game 4. Heading exploded for 23 points, while Rosser added a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring the Tropang 5G’s dominant second half.
TNT leads the series, 3-1, and a win on Friday will send them to the All-Filipino finals once again—keeping their Grand Slam hopes intact after winning the Governors’ and Commissioner’s Cup championships.
Still, the battered squad faces a Rain or Shine side with nothing to lose, and how TNT responds under adversity may determine whether they close it out early or give the Elasto Painters another opening.
[ALSO READ: PBA: TNT's Calvin Oftana vows to still play despite ankle pains in semis Game 4 vs ROS]
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]