THE RETURN of coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes to TNT Tropang Giga has worked effectively resulting in winning a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) championship for the first time after six years.
And super rookie Mikey Williams — drafted fourth overall in this year’s rookie draft — made it happen by scattering 24 points to allow TNT to seal the best-of-seven Finals series against Magnolia in five games with a 94-79 win in Game 5 of Season 46 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night.
Roger Pogoy and veteran Jayson Castro had another stellar play inside the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga with 19 points and 10 points, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
TNT started the game impressively taking a 21-12 cushion before extending it to as high as 83-66 in the middle of last period to seal TNT’s eighth overall PBA title and sixth Philippine Cup crown.
Reyes, who served the national team as head coach from 2012 to 2018, impressively claimed his ninth PBA title.
Big man JP Erram contributed seven points but turned out to be the biggest factor in defense with his 10 rebounds and four blocks.
Troy Rosario and Ryan Reyes added nine points apiece for TNT.
Ian Sangalang led Magnolia with 18 points and nine rebounds, but offensive main man Paul Lee was off the mark after finishing seven points on a terrible 3-of-11 shooting from the field.
TNT won the first two games of the Finals — Game 1 (88-70) and Game 2 (105-93) — before Magnolia prevented a sweep by taking in Game 3 (106-98).
The Tropang Giga though bounced back winning Game 4 (106-89) and then Game 5.