Dialing up success: RHJ says 'connectivity' the cutting edge of TNT in another title run

When TNT lost Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals against Barangay Ginebra that put them on the verge of losing it all, the Tropang Giga knew they just had to rekindle their connection.

No, not the mobile phone signal kind, but the one they have within the team. 

And it started with a team meal that allowed everyone to talk about what needed to be done to win it all. 

"I’m proud of these guys. We were kind of out of it or our heads were somewhere else, but we decided to eat together as a team," a banged-up Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shared on Friday after winning his third title with the franchise.

"We ate together and we just talked after we ate and we talked about what we were feeling and thinking."

Reverting to their old form, the Tropang Giga did exactly that for the next two games. 

The resident import led the way in Game 6 by erupting for 29 points together with 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals to power TNT to  an 87-83 victory to drag the Gin Kings to a winner-take-all Game 7. 

The same storyline transpired in the sudden death Game 7 after TNT eked out a similar 87-83 overtime triumph to capture their second straight title. 

Taking the scoring cudgels this time was point guard Rey Nambatac, whose 22-point outing carried TNT to the throne and allowed him to bag the Finals MVP plum as he stepped up for injured Jayson Castro. 

And for Hollis-Jefferson, they may have gotten lost along the way, but their brotherhood led them to their destination. 

"These guys, I consider them brothers," the former NBA player said.

"Our number one thing over every team is our connectivity. We may not have the most talented players, but you saw that we know how to enjoy the game and love one another."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News