FOR TNT, the long holiday break meant two things - rest and recovery.
Coach Chot Reyes certainly welcomed the 18-day respite for the Tropang Giga to fully recuperate from the wear and tear of the games dating back to their successful title retention bid in the PBA Governors' Cup.
Never mind that the team is currently on a two-game winning run that evened its record at 2-2 going to its three-week break in the Commissioner's Cup.
The Tropang Giga last saw action on Dec. 19 in a 109-93 blowout of Blackwater and will return to the court anew on Jan. 7 against the Meralco Bolts.
"Buti na lang meron kaming mahabang break for us to recover," said Reyes.
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Still nursing injuries but trying to play through it are TNT's heart and soul Jayson Castro, big man Poy Erram, and even import Rondae Hollis Jefferson.
After resting his hurting knee, Castro just came back and played his first game of the conference against Blackwater where he finished with 16 points, including a first ever career four-point shot.
Erram meanwhile, hurt his back following a bad fall also against the Bossing, while Hollis-Jefferson is favoring an ankle injury.
"If you noticed, he's (Hollis-Jefferson) not 100 percent because he has a slight ankle sprain. Hopefully, this break helped him get better and recover," added Reyes of the two-time Best Import and former NBA player.
The team also expects former MVP Kelly Williams to rejoin the Tropang Giga when it resumes its campaign in the mid-season conference.
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With the injuries to TNT's key players, Reyes was satisfied with where his team currently stays in the standings.
"When I saw the schedule, sabi ko sana maka 3-1 kami. But 2-2 is not bad," said the TNT coach. (RG)
