TNT wasted its first chance to advance to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals after bowing to Rain or Shine in Game 5. With Chot Reyes returning, the Tropang 5G hope to end the series once and for all.
Chot Reyes returns to the sidelines with hopes of guiding the TNT Tropang 5G back to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals — but the road just got a little bumpier.
TNT gets another shot at clinching the series when it faces Rain or Shine in Game 6 of their semifinal showdown at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: RR Pogoy gives update on hamstring injury ahead of TNT-Rain or Shine Game 6]
The Tropang 5G lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2, but missed out on their first closeout opportunity with a 97-113 loss in Game 5.
Reyes, who served a one-game suspension after accumulating five technical fouls this conference, is expected to rejoin TNT just in time as they try to avoid a Game 7.
Without RR Pogoy, who remains questionable due to a left hamstring injury, TNT leaned on Calvin Oftana (23 points), Simon Enciso (20), Glenn Khobuntin (13) and Kim Aurin (13) in the Game 5 loss.
Despite their efforts, the Tropang 5G couldn't match the energy and balance of a hungry Elasto Painters squad led by Gian Mamuyac and Jhonard Clarito.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Gian Mamuyac picks perfect time to shine, fuels Elasto Painters' Game 5 win vs TNT]
As t he series nears its climax, Pogoy remains day-to-day.
“Tignan natin next game. Kasi antay lang talaga ako ng go signal," he said.
With or without Pogoy, Reyes will have to dig deep into his rotation as TNT looks to avoid a winner-take-all situation and punch its ticket to a third straight Finals appearance this season, keeping its Grand Slam dream alive.
[ALSO READ: Guiao cautious after Reyes' suspension in Game 5 of PBA semis: 'Malapit-lapit na rin ako’]
(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.]