TNT head coach Chot Reyes during Game 6 of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beer at Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT coach Chot Reyes will miss Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after testing positive for COVID-19.
Sources said the result came early Sunday, hours before the Tropang Giga were set to face the San Miguel Beermen in the title decider inside Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Al Panlilio, president of PLDT which owns the TNT franchise, later confirmed that Reyes was placed under health and safety protocols but declined to make further comment.
“This is Game 7 and it’s a big thing for us, but it’s more than basketball,” said Panlilio.
Reyes’ absence is a huge development considering the magnitude of the contest which will decide the champion of the season’s first offering.
Josh Reyes is going to fill in for his father, but will likely get some help from assistants Yuri Escueta, Sandy Arespacochaga, Bong Ravena, Ranidel de Ocampo, Mau Belen and even team manager Jojo Lastimosa.
Arespacochaga was given the same duties when Reyes missed Games 2 and 3 of the series after handling Gilas Pilipinas in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
But TNT lost both times when Reyes wasn’t around. The Tropang Giga are hoping to break the trend.
“We’re so used to adversity and we just have to pull together and in a very big game tonight,” Panlilio said.