IN GOLF, you don’t drive for show. Instead, you drive for dough.
Meaning, in a par-4, you make sure you plant your tee shot on the fairway. From there, you take extra care with your approach shot to ensure a safe landing on the green. Precision putting should next secure sure success.
Easier said than done?
Well, in a sense, yes. Golf is a tough act to follow. But, at least, if you have the right frame of mind — at all times, that is — chances are you can never go wrong.
It’s the same formula basically in life and in practically all sports, including basketball.
Take Game 5 between TNT and Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Coach Chot Reyes and his TNT Tropang Giga were cruising smoothly from the blast-off, playing true to form, and appeared ready to end on a winning note.
But after grabbing a 45-35 halftime lead, Reyes and his wards went haywire, suddenly looking lost like a shepherd-less flock of sheep in the final two quarters.
Playing splendidly in the first 24 minutes, TNT just couldn’t sustain the momentum and teetered like a storm-battered ship at sea until the Giga eventually capsized to a 73-66 decision against the Gin Kings.
The win gave Ginebra a decisive 3-2 lead and it could capture the PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown with another win on Wednesday, March 26, also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Q.C.
TNT completely lost its focus after initially displaying near-flawless basketball from the starting blocks, with the pair of Rondae “RHJ” Hollis-Jefferson and Rey Nambatac leading the attack.
But for some reason, the duo faltered on the ride home, surprisingly executing many misguided shots against Ginebra’s suddenly alive defensive mettle that triggered the Gin Kings’ smoking 8-0 windup behind Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson.
And it didn’t help the TNT’s cause any when Reyes and Poy Erram, Giga’s perennial nut case, engaged in a word war during a huddle late in the game — simply making matters worse for the Tropa.
In contrast, coach Tim Cone of Ginebra heaped praise on both Brownlee and Thompson, who combined for the basket barrage as Ginebra broke away for good.
“It was the inspiration of Scottie that turned the tide for us,” said Cone of Thompson. “Scottie is simply Scottie.”
Maybe, Scottie plays golf, too?