Chot Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — Good news for TNT and bad news for its challengers: RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading are back in harness. And with the two key players returning after sitting out the last couple of games due to MCL and shoulder injuries, the Tropang 5G flexed their muscles with a vengeful 114-80 disposal of Titan Ultra in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at Ynares Center-Montalban.

Barangay Ginebra and TNT are in a holding pattern, waiting for their stars to return in time for a late surge in the PBA Governors Cup playoffs to start in October. Justin Brownlee is still recovering from the grind of last conference and the third FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is working his way back to shape from an Achilles tendon surgery. In Brownlee’s place, coach Tim Cone brought in Riley Grigsby.

MANILA, Philippines — For years, the name Jimmy Alapag has been almost synonymous with the team Talk n Text. One of its most iconic players, Alapag played for the Phone Pals and the Tropang Texters during his PBA career before retiring, although he came out of retirement and played for the Meralco Bolts for one more season. And on Tuesday evening, now-NLEX Road Warriors head coach Alapag had a full circle moment, this time, coaching against TNT and his former longtime coach Chot Reyes.