TNT Tropang Texters

Basketball is a man's game. It is not only about good shooting skills and defensive plays but it's also about hard work and team work. Being a basketball player entails a lot of determination not just to win games but to win CHAMPIONSHIPS. I may not be a basketball player myself, (not because I am a girl), but I have an idea of how it is to be a player on court. Watching my team play, it's like I'm playing with them. I shout with the coach and I play with the players; I analyze game plans with the assistant coaches and I watch like the referees. But the most important contribution I have for my favorite team is praying for them. 

The Talk N Text Tropang Texters have always been my inspiration aside from God and my family. Since Grade 6, (now I'm an incoming senior in college), I always watch their games. I am there to celebrate victories with them and to accept defeats with them. Willie Miller and Jimmy Alapag are my favorite members of the team but of course, all the rest of the players of the team have a special place in my heart. It was a big blow to me when Miller was traded to other team. I cried because I cannot accept it but eventually, I realized that God has a purpose for everything. I continued supporting the team. Players and coaches come and go. Coach Joel Banal was replaced by Coach Chot Reyes. Ritualo, Washington, and Cardona became TNT players but were also traded to other teams. Really, basketball fate is unpredictable. 

Now, with the current members of the team, I cannot ask God for more. They are more than enough for me and all of them are very special to me. Alapag remained my number one idol because of his distant three point shooting skill and his very cool aura on court but the rest of the team also deserved special mention. Larry Fonacier and his three point shooting and "baby-faced" appearance on court made me like him as a player and I know he deserved to be the MVP. Ryan Reyes and his stealing skill, Jayson Castro and his ala-"blur" movement, Jared Dillinger and his energetic approach, Bam Gamalinda and his positive actions and support for the team, Ranidel de Ocampo and his three-point shooting skill and funny behavior, Kelly Williams and his defensive skill and spiritual support for the team- all of those are just some of the innumerable reasons why I love the team. Harvey Carey, Ali Peek, Japeth Aguilar, Rich Alvarez, Gilbert Lao and Pamboy Raymundo complete the team and brought it to where it is now. Of course, the father of TNT and TNTNation, Coach Chot Reyes is the great mind behind the team's success. Now when I look at the team, I thank God for them and I cannot thank Him enough for all the victories and championships TNT has been in to. 

Onward Talk N Text Tropang Texters! The TNTNation will always be here for all of you and will support you all the way. Keep the faith Tropa.

One Team. One Nation. One Goal.

No Quit. All Heart. Laban TROPA. 

#TNTNation

Smart Gilas Pilipinas, "It's All About Heart."

So many articles written for the team, so many good comments given to them, so many praises reached their Twitter and Facebook accounts; yes, the whole country celebrated victory with them. But only few knew the real sacrifices they gave for them to be called the CHAMPIONS.

Smart Gilas 2 schedule of games.

With less than a month of training, the team never thought of winning the title. Armed with their insufficient training but more than enough courage and faith partnered with their big hearts for basketball and for the country, the Smart Gilas Pilipinas pulled it up with the amazing victory against the big men of USA. After that winning shot which gave the team a one point lead, the Filipinos cheered and celebrated as the buzzer beats. 

Yes. At last, after fourteen years of waiting and training, the country has once again bagged a championship crown. Who would’ve thought that the team which seemed the most unprepared for the games will prepare themselves for accepting gold. Who would’ve thought that the team who appeared to have an incomplete line up because of the players with great talents not being able to join would appear so whole with the smallest man standing up during the toughest fight. Yes, the team was not prepared, not complete, but their hearts filled it all for them. This team was definitely not the strongest. But they surely have the greatest heart and faith.

After winning the title.

The country was once again honored with this win in the 2012 Jones Cup. Coach Chot Reyes has, once again, done a great job. But, as Coach Chot said it, we need to move forward. With the incoming challenge of the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup, the team will once again be tested. This time, it will be tougher, more challenging. We do not expect to win gold again. But we believe in the power of the country’s faith combined with the whole team’s heart. PUSO ika nga.

Go Team Pilipinas.

WALANG IMPOSIBLE!

#SmartGilas2

#KeeptheFaith

The Tropa's Rest

This is a late post. This message for my team, TNT Tropang Texters, was made after they lost their game against Brgy. Ginebra that ousted them for the 2011-2012 Governor's Cup Finals. But I still want to post it. :) 

For my team, 

We lost. We got eliminated. We will not be in the championship picture.

But more than the loss are the lessons learned, experiences obtained, and respect earned.

The Talk N text Tropang Texters will always have the true heart of a Champion.

The TNTNation's hopes are still high and it will be a well-deserved rest for the team. You worked hard and made your way up to the team standings. You may fall short for this cup's championship but you never failed in making the TNTNation proud.

Onward mga Katropa. The ball is round and this is a necessary trip to the bottom. We will rise again; higher when the time comes.

For now, let's focus on making proud not only the TNTNation but the whole country as well. We'll be counting on you and the rest of the players for an honor for the country. Go Smart Gilas 2! Go Team Pilipinas!

#TNTNation

#KeeptheFaith

#RiseHigher