By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense forward Paul Varilla is aiming for his second PBA championship as the TNT Tropang Giga battles the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the Governors’ Cup championship series.

The Negros Occidental’s Manapla native said he is happy with his role in the Tropang Giga even if he is seldom being used by head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes in the import-laden conference.

“They’re [Tropang Giga] using me in the right ways that they need me to produce for the team. So I’m happy with that,” the former University of the East Red Warriors gunner said.

“[We won Game 1 in the championship series], but we’ll still take it one game and a time, and just stay grounded,” he said.

“That’s the team’s mindset going to the conference,” he added.

Varilla moved to the Tropang Giga from the NLEX Road Warriors as part of a three-team trade in 2023, that sent Bacolodnon Justin Chua to TNT, and Elvin Jake Pascual and Sean Anthony to the Road Warriors.

Varilla captured his first PBA title as part of the Tropang Giga team that defeated the Gin Kings in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup./ASC, WDJ