TNT coach Chot Reyes said their refusal to quit led the Tropang 5G to an overtime victory over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

TNT got huge contributions from Calvin Oftana in a performance that could be comparable to the ‘NSD’ mantra of Barangay Ginebra, their finals opponent over the last two conferences.

Oftana had 39 points to help his side come back from an 18-point deficit to frustrate the Elasto Painters.

Previously, the Tropang 5G overcame two knockout games by just one point in each against Magnolia to advance to the semifinals.

TNT coach Chot Reyes, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao PHOTO: Mark Cristino

“We just refused to quit, I think that’s the most important thing,” said Reyes after Game 2.

“That’s what this team is built on. Just a refusal to give up no matter what the odds are, no matter the adversity. If you don’t give up, then you give yourself a chance.

“In the end, (Oftana) gave us the chance with those three free throws, gave us a chance to extend and go into overtime.”

Heading into Game 3 on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Reyes hopes that TNT will display the same ‘refuse-to-quit’ attitude, as it faces the prospects of playing shorthanded in its bid to go for a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven semifinals.

RR Pogoy remains doubtful for Game 3 due to a hamstring injury he has been dealing since the quarterfinals vs. the Hotshots. Brian Heruela’s status is also uncertain due to an ankle sprain that he also suffered against Magnolia.

Jordan Heading, meanwhile, may be seeing action, but he remains bothered by back spasms.

“We may have won the game, but we don’t know if we still have enough bodies to finish the series,” Reyes said.

“But whoever is there, we’re just going to keep plugging away. We are going to keep fighting. We got great games from Kim Aurin, Almond Vosotros, Mike Nieto, they came up really big for us (in Game 2). So that’s just the way we do it.”

Despite a sizeable lead, Reyes said the Tropang 5G must not rest on their laurels, especially after some spurts of Game 2 where they made several mistakes.

“Every win in a semifinal series and a final series is huge. (But) we haven't won anything yet. We’ve gotten an advantage. But you see how quickly those advantages can disappear if we don't take care of them," he said.

“Same thing with this series. We cannot relax. Whatever the series score is, we have to continue. So this win is big. But I think getting another win in Game 3, I think that's going to be bigger.”

TNT's Jordan Heading and Rain or Shine's Jhonard Clarito PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Reyes also noted that TNT must play smart moving forward in the series that has become physical.

“We knew how physical, how hard Rain or Shine is going to come at us. And we said to be smart about it. To be strong, to be physical, to hit when they get hit, to hit back, but to be smart about it. And I thought we had some not too smart plays. And not only basketball plays, but even the other stuff,” said Reyes.

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