... Mission 4 - Peat
The team started it’s preparation with a good news to all TNT fans. Kelly Williams is back. The team had definitely missed his services from the last two conferences where the team had suffered especially with their inside defense. All is good now as he had prepared with the team in Las Vegas and then arrived in Manila to play in TNT’s first tune up. More than helping the team, the best news here is Williams playing the sports he love, him again, showing us he can do things through faith, through working hard, despite challenges. Again, he is inspiring each and every one of us.
In strengthening our inside, TNT then acquired Noy Baclao and Rob Reyes and have to let go of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Pamboy Raymundo and Bam Gamalinda in a trade that also made us acquired Eric Salamat and a 2015 second round draft pick. It is welcome news for Noy Baclao as he had been one of those who had been traded many times, to finally land in TNT which for sure will need his big man presence. Rob Reyes though is coming back to the team who signed him up first, while Eric Salamat is joining his former Ateneo coach as well. Then come draft day, TNT was able to pick only on second round at 5th and choose JP Erram and Robby Celiz at 7th, then at third round with Eliud Poligrates at 7th, Oping Sumalinog at fourth round and Byron Villarias at fifth round.
The team still has their Philippine Cup holdovers from Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes, Harvey Carey, Ali Peek, Aaron Aban, in addition to almost new guys Sean Anthony and John Ferriols. The coaching is still headed by multi-titled coach Norman Black, with assistants Alexander Arespacochaga, Nash Racela, Gene Afable, Jamike Jarin and Josh Reyes with new team manager Paolo Trillo and assistant manager Bong Ravena.