By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense forward Paul Varilla is aiming to be part of history as the TNT Tropang 5G guns for a Grand Slam against the San Miguel Beermen in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup finals.

The Negros Occidental’s Manapla-native Varilla said he is happy with his defensive role with the Tropang 5G, even if he is seldom used by head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes.

“They’re [Tropang 5G] 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 are already close to a Grand Slam], 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 5G from the NLEX Road Warriors as part of a three-team trade in 2023 that sent Bacolodnon Justin Chua to TNT.

Elvin Jake Pascual and Sean Anthony were traded to the Road Warriors.

Varilla captured his first three PBA titles as part of the Tropang 5G team that defeated the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup, 2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, and 2024-25 PBA Governor’s Cup finals./ASC, WDJ