The TNT Tropang GIGA‘s Rey Nambatac defending the Converge FiberXers’ Jordan Heading in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup bout. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The TNT Tropang GIGA and the Converge FiberXers have been delivering fast and quality action against each other in the 49th Season of the PBA.

In the squads’ meetings in this season’s two conferences so far, TNT has managed to tally two wins to Converge’s one, but the connection between the two telecommunication company-owned franchises has been nothing but strong.

”That’s just the nature of the business,” said Tropang GIGA head coach Chot Reyes following their slim 98-96 escape over the FiberXers last Saturday all thanks to the late-game heroics of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Converge, for their part, also had a nail-biting win over TNT last August during the season-opening Governors’ Cup — one which came through a 96-95 victory following a four-pointer by Scotty Hopson.

TNT then got their revenge a few weeks later with a 98-91 triumph, and according to Coach Chot, this is just how two rival companies perform when they extend their competition on the hard court.

“I know that they get when they play against us because obviously, industry rivals, right?” Reyes commented. “So I was telling the players since our practices that the key is us being able to match their desire and their hunger.”

”Ganyan na talaga every time we’re going to play them not only in the conference but even in the future,” the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor furthered.

However, it is not only their rivalry that motivates Converge to hang with the league’s powerhouses, as Chot emphasized that their lineup has also really just been impressive and well-rounded, especially with the entry of Justine Baltazar and Jordan Heading to their already potent roster.

“You can see how their lineup is coming along,” pointed out the multi-titled coach. “It’s very well-rounded, it’s very balanced, so that team is going to be a really big problem for everybody else in the future.”

And speaking of things that are yet to come, Reyes is also excited about the possibility of meeting Converge again in the playoffs if the dominoes fall into their place.

”Hindi malayo. Hindi malayo yun,” offered Reyes, while also maintaining that their priority for now is concluding the elimination round on a high note to enter the quarterfinals with a good seeding.

”That’s too far away from now,” he insisted. “For now, our focus is just on our next game.”

TNT will face the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila at 7:30 p.m.

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