TY Tang shines in one-off return

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Go for Gold assistant coach TY Tang clarified that his comeback tour is good for only one game.

“It’s just a one-game contract,” said Tang on Tuesday. “Coach Charles (Tiu)’s offer was just too grand that I can’t say no. He told me he’ll treat me.”

Admittedly out of shape for his first organized game in almost three years, Tang was satisfied with how he fared, finishing the game with two points, three assists, and a rebound in his 15 minutes of action.

But his run stops there as the Scratchers continue their search for a replacement for Kent Salado, who re-injured his MCL on his right knee in the team’s 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup opener against Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare last week.

“At least, I still performed well. But that’s all of it. It’s just really one game for me,” the seven-year PBA veteran said. “We’re still looking for a replacement for Kent right now. Hopefully, we get somebody in replacement of him so that we can continue on with our campaign for this conference.“

But Tang, who last played with Mighty Sports in 2016, showed signs that he still got game — and more.

He almost became the Scratchers’ savior late in the game.

The 33-year-old got fouled by JRU guard Jed Mendoza with 16.6 seconds left and canned his two freebies to put Go for Gold up, 103-102.

TY Tang puts Go for Gold up, 103-102 with 16.6 left! #PBADLeague pic.twitter.com/KBAltwQy9U

— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) January 30, 2018

After Paolo Pontejos’ gutsy drive gave the lead back to the Heavy Bombers, 104-103, the Scratchers had one last chance to win the game in the last 7.2 ticks and went to Tang, but he air-balled his three-point attempt at the buzzer.

“I was thinking of a Cinderella-story at that point in time. I thought it was gonna be a good ending for me,” he said.

No go for TY Tang! #PBADLeague pic.twitter.com/jNnZvuwVEy

— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) January 30, 2018

Despite the loss, the current St. Benilde coach was happy to have been alongside his wards even for just a game as he hoped to have been an example to his players.

“It was a good learning curve for the CSB guys,” he said as he has his sights set for the Blazers’ run in the upcoming NCAA Season 94.

Tang elaborated: “I’ve been telling them that it’s really the smarts in the game that you need to have. More than the talent, it’s always the IQ and the skill level. You might have the talent, but if you don’t know how to use it, it will still be difficult. You have to play with five players inside the court, and that’s what coach Charles, me and the rest of the coaching staff are trying to instill in our team. Everybody has to rotate, everybody has to move the ball, share the ball, because that’s how we’re gonna get.”

”Hopefully, we bring that kind of experience to our campaign this coming season. Hopefully, we get there in a few months’ time.”