Henry Galinao was productive in the little time he saw action in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals between TNT and San Miguel.
There were a lot who stepped up for TNT in its 96-91 win over San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals curtain raiser Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Among them was Henry Galinato.
Galinato made sure to make his presence felt in the limited time he was on the court against the defending champion.
This included the gargantuan task of guarding nine-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
[RELATED STORY: June Mar Fajardo optimistic despite SMB's Game 1 loss to TNT: 'Malayo pa 'yan']
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, with Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes acknowledging how the former University of the Philippines standout is finally realizing his potential.
“Henry has been playing well the whole eliminations and even in the semis. He’s finally playing the way we thought that he could play,” Reyes said at the end of the match at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“Be an extra body for us. Also, have the ability to finish. He made some key defensive stops.”
[ALSO READ: PBA: When will Jayson Castro return to action for TNT Tropang 5G?]
Galinato contributed 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field, two rebounds and two steals.
The 6-foot-5 bruiser draws confidence from Reyes' trust.
“It’s great. I love that coach Chot has trust in me. It’s always a great feeling when your head coach believes in you,” Galinato said.
[ALSO READ: LIST: San Miguel-TNT PBA Finals encounters since 2016]
Galinato bared he talked with the 11-time PBA champion coach at the conclusion of the previous season, where the Tropang 5G bowed to June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen in the Finals.
That same conversation did a lot of wonders for him, Galinato shared.
“We just had that little pep talk at the end of last conference. He told me what he needed from me. That’s what I brought in coming into this conference.”
Galinato is expected to continue making his mark for TNT as it guns for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 2 is set Friday, Jan. 23, at the same venue.
(With reports from Aivan Episcope/One Sports Digital)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.