By Adrian Stewart Co

TNT Tropang Giga and Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots are set to kick off their 2021 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven titular showdown tonight at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The match is slated at six in the evening with the Tropang Giga aiming to end its six-year championship drought while the Hotshots will eye its first PBA title since the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Tropang Giga head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes said he feels his team is ready for the Hotshots after staving off dethroned champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and San Miguel Beermen in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

“Any road to the title, you have to go through those three tough teams. Nagkataon lang — nobody would have ever expected Ginebra to be No. 8 in the eliminations, right? So, nagkataon lang na ganun,” Reyes said.

“I don’t think you can recall another time in the past where San Miguel was No. 4 and Ginebra was No. 8 in the eliminations,” he added. “It’s very difficult. Hopefully, that experience makes us better and makes us better prepared for this last series.”

Hotshots mentor Chito Victolero, for his part, said that they hope to finally nail the elusive All-Filipino conference title after failing in their last three attempts.

“In the last four years, we’ve been here tatlong beses na kami nakapasok sa Philippine Cup finals. And I think we matured,” Victolero said. “Also, this group matured a lot, especially our chemistry.”

“We built the chemistry and I thought na ‘yun ‘yung malaking factor sa amin in order for us to compete and to have a chance to win the championship,” he added.

During their lone elimination round encounter last September 5, the Tropang Giga prevailed over the Hotshots, 83-76./ASC, WDJ