Coach Chot Reyes said TNT will have to make do with the tough schedule it faces before some of its players focus on Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup Qualifiers campaign when the PBA Governors’ Cup resumes.

The Tropang Giga begin Friday, Feb. 11 a busy schedule of four games in seven days, three of which are against teams from corporate rival San Miguel Corporation, as part of the arrangement to allow some of their players represent the country in the upcoming window.

Reyes acknowledged the importance of the schedule which could either be beneficial or detrimental not only in terms of TNT’s campaign in the season-ending conference but also in the qualifiers.

“Very crucial. I think it's very crucial,” Reyes said. “I think on one hand, it is going to make the TNT players who will play in the window very sharp and in game shape. But on the other hand, it can also burn them out and tire them.

“Pero ngayon, hindi na namin iniisip yun e. Basta sa amin, ang focus namin, and this is what I told the players, you have to think and prepare yourselves that you will play four games in one week, and then you will play four games in five days, and then you will play three games in one week. That's your entire focus.

“We know it's very crucial. it's very critical, but it is what it is. Ganun naman talaga ang buhay, di ba. You have to go and do what you have to do,” added Reyes, who was suddenly thrusted back into the Gilas coaching position in lieu of Tab Baldwin almost two weeks ago.

TNT plays unbeaten Magnolia Pambansang Manok on Friday at the Big Dome to begin the tough stretch, followed by a game against Phoenix Super LPG two days later.

Then the Tropang Giga face the San Miguel Beermen on Feb. 16 before battling the Barangay Ginebra Kings two days later before Reyes and some of his men shift full focus on Gilas.

Reyes has opted to put in a mixture of TNT players and those left in the Gilas pool to compose the Philippine roster for the games against South Korea on Feb. 24 and 28, India on Feb. 25 and New Zealand on Feb. 27.

He hinted that RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Poy Erram as likely shoo-ins with pesky guard Kib Montalbo being eyed as a possible inclusion.

Rosario and Montalbo have been cleared to play after being sidelined at the start of the conference due to injuries.

TNT went 2-2 to open the Governors’ Cup before the league took a 47-day break due to last month’s COVID-19 surge.