TNT Tropang Giga were on the verge of basketball immortality. Under Coach Chot Reyes and his new defensive philosophy, they carved out two straight championships—both at the expense of their long-time rivals, Barangay Ginebra. Back-to-back titles against the league’s most popular team? That alone was sweet, parang extra rice na libre sa karinderya. But what made it sweeter was the looming prize: a shot at the Grand Slam.
With Rondae Hollis-Jefferson doing a little bit of everything (scoring, rebounding, defending, at baka nagbabantay pa ng parking sa Araneta), Jayson Castro proving age is just a number, Rey Nambatac bringing extra firepower, and Jordan Heading joining the mix for the All-Filipino, TNT looked like they had the perfect recipe. Fans could already smell history—three straight titles, Grand Slam glory.
