Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
TNT sent Jeremy Tyler packing just days before its game against Blackwater on Friday night.
And with replacement import Josh Smith failing to make it on time, the KaTropa had to make do with an all-Filipino lineup versus Jarrid Famous and the Elite.
Turns out, TNT, even minus a reinforcement, was good enough after crushing Blackwater, 120-101.
“It’s nice that the locals were really up to the challenge. Boss Ricky Vargas gave us a good motivation at the start of the game. He told the players that even if they have a 6-10 import and we don’t have a 6-10 import, all of you are imports,” TNT coach Nash Racela said.
READ: PBA: No import, no problem as TNT clobbers Blackwater
Troy Rosario played like one, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 11 rebounds with three assists and one steal to boot in 31 minutes of action while veteran guard Ryan Reyes had a vintage performance with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the three-point area.
“Well, we all need to step up because we don’t have an import and like what our bosses told us, all of us are capable to be the import this game,” Rosario told reporters in Filipino. “We did our job tonight. We got the win and that’s the most important thing.”
The KaTropa earned a share of the top spot at 4-1 heading into the All-Star break despite Tyler being a disappointment.
But the real test has yet to come for TNT and Rosario is already bracing for it.
“The win is a big confidence boost for us because we did it without an import but the big and strong teams like San Miguel and Magnolia are coming and we have yet to face them.”