TNT's Guard-Filled Roster: There's a Logic Behind It

Some PBA fans cannot help but ask: Is TNT forming a security agency?

Why?

If you are to look at the TNT KKaTropa's recent acquisitions, they looked like they are indeed forming an agency.

- Simon Enciso

- Ed Daquioag

- Jjay Alejandro

- Gryann Mendoza

- Kib Montalbo

- Val Chauca

TNT will have 6 additional players who will have compete to get a crack into the rotation of Coach Bong Ravena and Team Consultant Mark Dickel. They will be joining a TNT squad that is already loaded with Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, Ray Parks, Ryan Reyes, Samboy de Leon, and Almond Vosotros. 

If the purpose is not to open a security agency, then why did TNT get these guards?

The team may be looking for younger guards who will complement the team's holdovers led by  The Bur himself, Jayson Castro. Castro is already at 33 years  is nearing the climax of his decorated PBA career. This may be also a reason why the KaTropa's are already preparing for a post-Castro era and there's not a better way to do it than to get the best young guards in the market that would complement Ray Parks once Castro decides to call it a career.

While Ray Parks hasn't signed a deal, TNT will be standing at the ready as they will have enough number of guards who can step up in the event Parks decides to play elsewhere.

Mark Dickel, on the other hand, admits that he likes the team's new acquisitions, primarily Daquioag, Alejandro, and Mendoza. He also said that while he prefers to look for more big men, Dickel simply acknowledges the fact that there hasn't much of a choice. He can't complain with the guards his team has acquired whether it's from the trades, the free agency, or rookie signings. 

Of the six new guards that TNT has in their line-up right now, Ed Daquioag may be the logical choice to back Jayson Castro up as the team's primary court general due to his experience but you cannot take anything away from the likes of Enciso, Mendoza, Alejandro, Montalbo, and Chauca, whose one-and-done season in the UAAP saw him rise as on the best scorers in the collegiate level. 

Question: Will all 6 new guards get to receive quality minutes in a guard-loaded team like TNT?

Answer: It depends on how well they will fit into the TNT puzzle and if Ravena and Dickle will figure it out how to balance things out in their loaded backcourt.

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