TNT head coach Chot Reyes admitted feeling caught by surprise upon realizing the playoff format of the ongoing PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
The champion mentor even called it ‘unusual,’ since he never expected that it was the setup that the league applied for the conference.
“I didn’t expect it,” he told reporters moments after the Tropang Giga’s 107-102 victory over NLEX in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday evening.
“It’s unusual. I was surprised.”
Much talked about online, this edition of the Governors’ Cup sees the top seeds of Groups A and B meet in the semis – should they get past the quarters.
Fans and netizens were quick to criticize as much, for it was far from the typical competition system where the no. 1 teams are designed to play in the Finals.
TNT was one of the two teams that clinched top dog status in Group A with an 8-2 record, the other being Rain or Shine in Group B at 7-3.
Reyes admitted that he only knew of it when the playoff table was released shortly after the group stage concluded, leaving him caught off-guard.
“I guess because of my exposure pati sa FIBA, sa international, that it’s always ‘yung no. 1 palagi sa huli na naglalaban. I assumed that,” the former Gilas Pilipinas chief tactician stated.
“I never thought about it.”
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was asked about the matter and opined that the format in place “disincentivizes” the top-seeded clubs.
Asked if he agrees, Reyes offered that the seedings may not matter anymore given the quality of teams that entered the quarterfinals.
Plus, all the series in the playoffs’ first round is a best-of-5, unlike in the typical Governors’ Cup where the top four teams earn a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Yeah, except… ‘Pag tiningnan mo naman ‘yung mga teams that are remaining, wala namang mahina eh,” said the six-time Coach of the Year. “Doesn’t matter, ‘di ba? You really have still be at your best, regardless.
“In my mind, like I said, I’ll just focus on the things within our control, and see whatever happens in the future, happens. We just have to be ready for it.”
