Two of TNT Triple Giga’s pillars have been given a new lease on life.
Almond Vosotros and Ping Exciminiano have been called up by the Tropang Giga months after PBA 3×3’s most successful team got dissolved.
Both the seasoned guards have joined the regular 5-on-5 team’s practices, as seen on the photos uploaded by the club on its official social media pages.
“Yes, Almond and Ping are with us,” confirmed team manager Jojo Lastimosa through a short text message to Tiebreaker Times, Wednesday.
Their deals are undisclosed yet but nonetheless, it’s good news for Vosotros and Exciminiano following the halfcourt competition’s abrupt shelving.
For starters, the league decided to suspend the PBA 3×3 indefinitely last May, subsequently leading to TNT disbanding its famed Triple Giga.
Led by head coach Mau Belen, the squad won 19 leg titles and six grand championships, including a Grand Slam in the 2022-23 season.
(C) PBA Images
Some of the players got into a tough predicament as they couldn’t join other teams right away, with the other leagues’ seasons still ongoing.
But opportunities came their way eventually, and now both Vosotros and Exciminiano have found themselves back to the Tropang Giga.
The La Salle product couldn’t be more grateful.
“Ako naman, I am always grateful for every opportunity na ibinibigay ng TNT sa akin,” Vosotros said gladly. “And, I’m just always ready to play.”
It could be recalled that the two, along with Triple Giga teammates Lervin Flores and Gryann Mendoza, played for TNT during last year’s PBA On Tour.
That stint, albeit short, reunited Exciminiano and Mendoza with the team they helped win the 2021 Philippine Cup title in the Bacolor bubble in Pampanga.
The Tropa are now preparing for the Season 49 Governors’ Cup, keen on defending the conference championship they won in 2023.
Reinforced by Darius Days, TNT is pooled in Group A with reigning Philippine Cup titlists Meralco, Magnolia, NorthPort, Converge, and Terrafirma.
