PBA: TNT can’t look ahead to quarterfinals just yet, says Chot

TNT Tropang GIga coach Chot Reyes during a PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—TNT is assured of a spot in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals but that doesn’t mean the Tropang Giga would be relaxing anytime soon.

After TNT’s narrow victory over Magnolia, 84-82, in Group A at Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, coach Chot Reyes and the Tropang Giga are in no mood to celebrate yet as they are still ways away from their “goals and objectives.”

“The biggest lesson is we can’t look too far ahead,” said Reyes. “We always talk about having an objective while focusing on the goal. We have an objective for the conference and tournament but we’re keeping our mind and attention to the goal.”

READ: PBA: Behind RHJ’s heroics, TNT hangs tough to beat Magnolia

With Tuesday’s win, TNT is basically a lock as Group A’s best team with a 7-1 card.

Unless the Tropang Giga lose their next two games, Meralco, which is currently the second seed in said group with a 6-2 card, won’t have a solid shot at sealing Pool A’s top spot.

Their lone tormentor in the double-round robin in Converge, meanwhile, is fighting for its life at the middle of the pack with a 4-4 card.

Tropang Giga’s win on Tuesday also saw them take down another juggernaut in the Hotshots, who also now hold a 4-4 card.

READ: PBA: College heartbreak vs Shabazz Muhammad lights fire under RHJ

However, even with the odds looking to be in the favor of the reigning PBA Governors’ Cup champion, Reyes said there’s no reason to be complacent.

“Throughout my years of coaching, I know that we can’t look too far ahead… Still, with that long-term perspective, I don’t think we can just be too myopic in our view. It has to be a combination of both long and short term goals just to know which to focus on specific times,” said Reyes.

“The goal is the next game. Right now, our attention is towards the next game.”

TNT has about 72 hours to recuperate before they can turn to their current “goal,” as they take on winless Terrafirma on Thursday at the same venue in Malate.