Ryan Reyes turned back the hands of time as he helped TNT blow out Magnolia anew in Game Four of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Wednesday night.
The 38-year-old poured all his 10 points, four steals, one assist, and one of his two rebounds in the second quarter alone, where the Tropang Giga erupted for 33 points to turn a 24-all deadlock to a wide 57-39 lead at the intermission.
His efforts particularly on the defensive end were definitely of great help, as it was a big reason why the Hotshots got limited to just 15 points while committing six of their 24 turnovers in the aforementioned chapter.
The flagship MVP franchise banked on that big explosion towards the 106-89 victory that moved them a win away from the Perpetual trophy.
“Everyone is accountable for just playing hard, playing well. Anyone can get called up and put in the game and we just give it our best. We just play, we give all our effort, and just play – exactly what I did,” he said after the match.
It was yet another solid showing from the veteran forward. Back in Game Two, he supplied 10 markers as well, alongside two boards and two dimes in the Tropa’s 105-93 victory that saw them shoot 17 three-pointers.
For the former third overall pick, such performances are all thanks to the confidence given by no less than his long-time mentor Chot Reyes.
“Just given the opportunity to play, especially playing for coach Chot, just the all-out confidence, the trust that he gives us, it just makes us go out there and play hard,” said Ryan, who won four championships with the decorated coach.
TNT now has the chance to close it out on Friday and end its six-year title drought. Though he likes their chances, Ryan doesn’t want to look too far ahead as he and the team would want to focus first on Game Five.
“I like it. But like we said, we’re taking it one game at a time, focusing on the next game, not really looking too far ahead, making sure that we get this next game,” said the 15-year vet, who’s gunning for his seventh crown.
“We’re going to go back to practice, adjust the things that we need to get done, the things that we made mistakes, and just fixing everything so that we can come out with another win next game.”
