The TNT Katropa have made numerous of moves over the last two months, having given away the likes of Kris Rosales, Sidney Onwubere, and Norbert Torres in exchange for former Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano in separate deals.
But the biggest move came on Tuesday, as the Katropa shipped the first overall pick in the 2015 Draft Moala Tautuaa along with two future draft picks to the GlobalPort Batang Pier for three-time scoring champion Terrence Romeo and Yousef Taha.
With the aggressive transactions they have made, TNT head coach Nash Racela hopes that it will bring in the desired results in the long run, as the flagship Manny V. Pangilinan-owned franchise continues their search for their first championship since 2015.
“Hopefully in the near future or kahit na in the long run… We’re all hoping that it (trades) was a good move in our part,” said Racela on Wednesday afternoon, moments after TNT’s practice at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Ateneo.
“Regardless of the personnel — a lot of [people] talk about personalities — I think the only main objective is for us to strengthen the team. [And to] Find ways to give ourselves a better chance of winning.”
Of the deals TNT have made, the most talked-about has been the Romeo trade. It brought in excitement as the Katropa will now boast a superstar backcourt that will feature him and main man Jayson Castro.
Moreover, all eyes are on Romeo and Racela, as it will be a reunion of sorts. Racela was Romeo’s mentor in FEU before — a bond that led to a third-place finish in UAAP Season 76 and an Most Valuable Player plum for Romeo in the same season.
Asked if that kind of relationship will happen again this time in the pro ranks, the second-year TNT mentor said that his focus right now is to help build relationships with the team as a whole, especially with the new faces.
“[It is a] Different mix. Now you have a different mix,” thought Racela. “[What is] important for us is we need to work on things that we need to work on, [and] I think the first step is building relationships.
“I think the more important step now is really build relationships.”
