Jordan Heading hungry for payback after heartbreaks

TNT guard Jordan Heading reacts during Game 6 of the PBA semifinals against Meralco. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—TNT was only one title away last season from completing a rare Grand Slam.

However, those dreams were halted when they fell to San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Cup Finals. They suffered another Finals loss to the Beermen this season in the same conference.

One of the main guys during those Finals runs was Jordan Heading, who made his conference debut with the Tropang 5G in last year’s All-Filipino conference.

But instead of a championship celebration, TNT ended up falling short, a moment Heading hopes to rewrite this time in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra.

“This means everything. When you lose in the finals, it sticks with you,” said Heading.

“The whole offseason, that’s all I thought about, when I train in the morning, that’s all I think about.”

Heading’s determination to make amends showed most in Game 6 of the semifinals against Meralco Bolts.

With TNT aalready up 3-2 in the series, Heading helped close the door on a potential Game 7, finishing with 30 points on 69.2 percent shooting to send TNT back to the Finals.

“I’m blessed and thankful to have another shot and we’ll give it everything we got and we’ll keep coming back.”

Since joining TNT, Heading has helped the Tropang 5G reach three straight Finals appearances, including the upcoming clash with the Gin Kings.

While his Finals record stands at 0-2, he looks to change that starting Wednesday when Game 1 of the championship series tips off at Smart Araneta Coliseum.