Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson of TNT in action against San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup, August 1, 2028 at the Mall of Asia Arena. PBA Media
MANILA (UPDATED) — The TNT Tropang 5G outlasted the San Miguel Beermen in overtime, 93-89, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The result marks back-to-back wins for TNT, which also came on the birthday of head coach Chot Reyes.
The defending champions went on a 12-2 run in the opening frame led by Rey Nambatac and Poy Erram to take the early lead.
Don Trollano sparked a run off the bench for the Beermen, but the Tropang 5G responded as the lead grew to as much as 16 points, 41-25.
TNT kept the double-digit lead until the payoff period, where they were limited to just eight points by San Miguel.
Import George King dropped 12 points in the fourth quarter, along with Trollano’s layup that sent the game into overtime tied at 73-all.
In overtime, the trio of King, Marcio Lassiter, and June Mar Fajardo joined forces to put San Miguel ahead, 85-83.
But the duo of Kim Aurin and returning import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson saved the day for TNT, nailing crucial baskets to seal the win in the extra period.
Reyes said he made sure to keep encouraging his players even as their lead disappeared and the game went into overtime.
"I really don't know how we did it. But just from all of my emotional intelligence and mental strength coaching, I know how important mindset is. We could have had an attitude going to overtime where we said, overtime na naman, we had the last shot. We could have had that negative attitude. That's why I made it a point to reframe it into a positive mindset," he said during the post-game press conference.
"I think that was important. I think all elite physical performance begins with the mind first is my belief. And I think that kind of attitude helped this guy do what he did towards the endgame. And yun lang naman sa team namin," Reyes added.
With a depleted lineup due to injuries, the champion mentor said they made it a point to rally behind the players on the court until the final buzzer.
"I knew we didn't have the players to last all the way through. And we were just counting on the fighting spirit of the players. They were basically running on fumes, running on gas. Nakita mo nga si Rahlir nagka-cramps na and all that. And si Kim himself was not 100 percent," Reyes explained.
"But the players on the bench and the injured players just kept encouraging them. And from our end as a coaching staff, we made it a point also to just be very supportive. Whether they make a turnover, they miss a shot, we just kept staying positive," he added.
Aurin finished with a career-high 22 points off six triples along with 8 rebounds, earning Player of the Game honors.
"Ayun nga, binibigyan ako ng chance ni coach Chot [Reyes] and ayoko sayangin. And lagi ko naman ito tina-trabaho. And ayun, praise God dahil dinidinig ni Lord yung mga dasal ko," he shared.
Hollis-Jefferson had 20 markers, 13 boards, and 7 assists in his return for TNT, while Nambatac finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds.
King produced 35 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in a losing effort for SMB.
TNT now holds a 3-2 record, while San Miguel carries a 4-2 slate in Group A.
The Tropang 5G will go up against the NLEX Road Warriors on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, while the Beermen's next assignment is the Converge FiberXers on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.