In a stunning upset, the TNT Tropang Giga, fresh off a championship run, faced a devastating defeat in their debut game against the NLEX Road Warriors, losing by a staggering margin. Coach Chot Reyes was visibly stressed as his team struggled without their key player, RJ Hinds Jr. (RHJ), who was absent from the lineup. The game, which marked the unveiling of TNT’s new 5G jerseys, quickly turned into a nightmare as NLEX seized control early on, led by the explosive Cyrus Torres, who scored the first seven points for the Road Warriors.

Despite a valiant effort from Poy Eram and a spirited start from new player Simon Enciso, TNT couldn’t keep pace. NLEX built a commanding lead, executing a massive 15-6 run in the second quarter that expanded their advantage to double digits. The absence of RHJ became a glaring issue, exposing TNT’s lack of depth and offensive firepower. As the game progressed, Coach Reyes attempted to rally his troops, burning multiple timeouts in an effort to stem the tide, but NLEX remained relentless.

By the end of the third quarter, the Road Warriors had stretched their lead to 17 points, leaving TNT scrambling for answers. A late push from Enciso and RR Pogoy briefly ignited hope for the Tropang Giga, but it was too little, too late. NLEX’s Bona, with a double-double performance, further compounded TNT’s woes, ensuring a decisive victory.

The final buzzer sounded with a shocking scoreline of 68-51 in favor of NLEX, leaving Coach Chot and his team to regroup and recalibrate as they face the daunting road ahead in the All-Filipino Cup. The question looms: can TNT adapt quickly without RHJ to reclaim their championship form? Only time will tell.