After powering TNT Tropang Giga to successful runs in the 3×3 event, Lervin Flores was finally rewarded after being included in the team’s roster for the Commissioner’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.
TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa broke the news to Daily Tribune, saying that the 6-foot-4 forward will be part of their final roster after Poy Erram and Justin Chua were placed on the injured list.
Injuries hampered TNT as early as last season and even Chua, a last-minute acquisition who helped the Tropang Giga win the Governors’ Cup title over powerhouse Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, wasn’t spared after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Erram, for his part, also hurt his knee that prompted him to withdraw from the Gilas Pilipinas squad that is preparing for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“With Poy Erram and Justin Chua on the injured list, we’re elevating Lervin Flores,” said Lastimosa, quashing rumors that they are interested to land Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser from NLEX in a three-way deal involving Blackwater.
“That’s been a rumor for a while now but nothing is happening. That’s one thing I cannot speculate.”
Lastimosa said Ryan Reyes and Bryan Heruela will be back from injury layoffs.
“They should be ready to play in the season,” Lastimosa said.
“We won’t get back to practice until September 4, but we’re hoping to get everyone present on the first day. Aside from Lervin being elevated and Ryan and Bryan rejoining us, there’s no changes yet on the team.”
TNT is set to bring back Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the season-opening tourney where imports not taller than 6-foot-9 are set to see action.
Although he played in a tournament for imports 6-foot-5 below, Lastimosa is confident that Hollis-Jefferson’s skill set would be enough to help them in their campaign.
Hollis-Jefferson is no stranger to playing against bigger opponents, being a former star player of the National Basketball Association when he was still seeing action for the Brooklyn Nets six years ago.
In the coming FIBA World Cup, Hollis-Jefferson will have an opportunity to showcase his stuff when he reinforces Jordan, which is grouped along with the United States, Greece and New Zealand in the preliminaries.
