TNT Tropang Giga is ushering in a new era as it rebrands to TNT Tropang 5G, aligning with Smart’s value mobile brand TNT, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The official unveiling will take place in the PBA All-Filipino Cup, which kicks off Thursday, April 4.

A perennial championship contender, TNT Tropang 5G has established itself as one of the dominant teams in recent PBA history. The squad recently secured back-to-back championships, highlighted by a hard-fought, overtime victory in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals. This success reflects the team’s deep connection, mirroring the way TNT’s network links millions of KaTropas across the country.

With 11 PBA titles, TNT Tropang 5G has been delivering excitement to basketball fans for over two decades.

Players embrace the new identity

Veteran guard Jayson Castro, a two-time Asia’s Best Point Guard, expressed his excitement about this milestone.

“Sobrang saya na maging part ako ng milestone na ito ng TNT. The fans have been with us through the years, from the ups and downs. Lahat ng naa-achieve namin as a team, as an organization, lahat ng panalo namin—dedicated talaga sa fans, sa mga KaTropa natin,” said Castro, who has been with the franchise since 2008.

Power forward Calvin Oftana also reflected on the team’s rich history.

“I feel blessed na mapabilang sa TNT kasi makulay ang history ng team. From the time nina Kuya Asi (Taulava) and Kuya Jimmy (Alapag) during the Mobiline/Talk ‘n Text Phone Pals era, nakita ko kung paano sinundan ng PBA fans ang team.”

Rey Nambatac, the recently crowned Finals MVP, acknowledged the team’s battle-tested resilience.

“It has been a tough series for us lalo na yung last one na umabot ng seven games tapos overtime pa. Pero gaya ng lahat ng KaTropa na sumusuporta sa amin, lumalaban para sa araw-araw na saya ang buong team.”

The Bisdak connection

TNT’s new identity is also being embraced by its Tropang Bisdak core—a group of Visayan players that includes Nambatac (Cagayan de Oro), Oftana (Danao, Cebu), Poy Erram (Cagayan de Oro), RR Pogoy (Minglanilla, Cebu), and Glenn Khobuntin (Cagayan de Oro).

Their chemistry has translated into success on the court, with Erram and Khobuntin revealing that they communicate in Bisaya during games, leading to effective plays. Even Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has picked up on the language, often greeting teammates with “Ingat, Dong.”

After TNT’s championship victory on March 28, social media buzzed with posts like “Congrats, mga Bisdak,” “Solid Bisdak!,” and “Tropang Bisdak.”

TNT 5G: Strengthening connections nationwide

Beyond basketball, TNT continues to strengthen its presence as the biggest mobile brand in the Philippines, with nearly 35 million subscribers as of the end of 2024. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, TNT is expanding its 5G network, providing better coverage and value-packed data offers.

Veteran TNT forward and former PBA MVP Kelly Williams shared how the brand plays a role in his routine.

“Today, TNT is a huge part of my pre-game rituals, especially during trainings and workouts. I use it to listen to music, stream inspiring basketball videos, and stay in touch with my family and supporters.”

As TNT rolls out more 5G Max areas and new cell sites across the country, subscribers can expect an enhanced mobile experience—whether for work, streaming, social media, or gaming.

Switch to TNT 5G and be part of the Philippines’ biggest Tropa! Learn more at TNT’s official website.