REPEAT VS REVENGE

SMB, TNT brace for battle right in game one

MANILA, Philippines — Up against San Miguel Beer, the big dogs of the PBA’s centerpiece conference, TNT armed itself with one of the most crucial foundations for success – self-belief.

“I feel if we’re coming into this series with less than 100-percent belief, then we have no chance. So it starts from there,” coach Chot Reyes said as the Tropang 5G challenge the Philippine Cup title-holder Beermen beginning tonight at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

“We have to have the belief that regardless of who’s healthy or not, we’re going to come out and play our best game. And the problem is even if we bring out our best game, it’s not guaranteed we will beat a team as strong as San Miguel. But in the end, all we can do is do our best and if that happens to be enough, then so be it. If not, it doesn’t bother us too much.”

The flagship franchise of the MVP Group and their counterpart from San Miguel Corp. face off exactly 180 days after disputing the league’s crown jewel in the previous season.

The Beermen won then, 4-2, and are now determined to repeat and annex their eighth diadem in the last 11 editions of the All-Filipino, and third at TNT’s expense.

“Alam naman natin how hard (it is) to defeat TNT, given their experience. In the last three conferences (prior to the coming series), they were in the finals and I think they’re thinking of how to get back at us because last conference we beat them in the finals,” said SMB’s Leo Austria.

Learning from the July 2025 experience, the Tropang 5G beefed up with the pre-season acquisition of pesky guard Jio Jalalon, veteran sniper Kevin Ferrer and high-flying Tyrus Hill. Reyes’ squad also welcomed back Rey Nambatac and Poy Erram to the Last Dance after getting sidelined by injuries last time. RR Pogoy, though, is still recovering from hamstring injury, leaving Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Nambatac and Erram with heavier loads for now.

“If you go into any tournament, you take a look at who’s the big guy on the block. No secret that San Miguel has dominated this tournament. So if you want to be able to compete with them, then you better have the resources and that’s what guided our build-up,” said Reyes.

“Obviously, the fact na mas kumpleto kami ngayon, though not 100-percent complete, gives us a better chance, but it’s no guarantee of success. I think we have a better chance and, in the end, that’s all we want,” he added

Notes: The Phoenix Fuel Masters announced the appointment of St. Benilde’s Charles Tiu as their new head coach yesterday. Tiu, who had previous stints as assistant coach with Meralco and Converge, took over from Willy Wilson, whom the Fuel Masters released last week after a one-conference tenure of three wins and eight losses..

2026-01-20T16:31:37Z