TNT in Hot Water After Abu Dhabi Stint, Heavy Fine Looms

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by Lou Reyes

TNT 5G point guard Simon Enciso.
TNT 5G point guard Simon Enciso. Photo: Instagram.

TNT Tropang Giga’s brief adventure in Abu Dhabi may have given them some needed preseason burn, but it also earned them the ire of the PBA brass. 

Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that the league will slap a hefty fine on the MVP-backed franchise for failing to properly inform the PBA of its participation in the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship.

Marcial shared that both coach Chot Reyes and team manager Jojo Lastimosa have already reached out to apologize, but the sanction will still be enforced. “Pipinahan ko ‘yung team. Nakausap ko na si [PBA] chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas tungkol dito,” Marcial said, emphasizing that league rules were clearly broken.

TNT 5G guard Jordan Heading in Abu Dhabi.
TNT 5G guard Jordan Heading in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Spin.ph.

Beyond the lack of notification, TNT also violated a standing PBA regulation that prohibits teams from playing in outside tournaments within a week of the season tip-off, a measure designed to reduce risks of injuries. “Kahit tune-up games nga, sinasabihan namin to take it easy this week,” Marcial added.

The Tropang Giga, who flew to the UAE over the weekend, saw action in the eight-team event. But with the Philippine Cup opener looming, TNT had to cut its campaign short and return to Manila after the group stage. Tournament organizers initially requested that they stay until the semifinals, but the team opted to bow out early.

Calvin Oftana scored 21 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting against Al-Dhafra in Abu Dhabi.
Calvin Oftana scored 21 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting against Al-Dhafra in Abu Dhabi. Photo: TMG Rising.

Minus imports, TNT leaned solely on its all-Filipino core, the same lineup it will ride for the PBA’s 50th season. 

As expected, results were mixed. The squad dropped its opener to host team Al Sharjah (93-74), bounced back against Al Dhafra (98-76), but ended its run with a lopsided loss to Lebanese powerhouse Al Riyadi (94-53). Their 1-2 record wasn’t enough to advance further, though Reyes admitted from the start that the team wasn’t out to dominate. The priority, he stressed, was to get some live action in before the PBA grind.

Still, the fine stands as a reminder: PBA teams can’t go rogue when it comes to scheduling outside competitions. With the 50th season now just days away, all eyes are on TNT, not just for how they’ll bounce back on the court, but how they’ll move forward after this costly detour.