11
How Faith Powered Kim Aurin’s Explosive TNT Rise
TNT’s Kim Aurin Turns a Rough Morning into a Big Win Over San Miguel
The Big Picture
TNT Tropang 5G pulled off an exciting overtime victory against the San Miguel Beermen in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. The hero of the night? Kim Aurin — a young guard who almost didn’t play because he wasn’t feeling well.
How It All Started: A Tough Morning
Imagine waking up on game day and your body just says, "Nope, not today." That’s exactly what happened to Kim Aurin on Saturday morning.
Important Point
Even professional athletes have bad days. What matters is how they respond.
But two things changed everything for Kim:
- A phone call from his teammate Roger Pogoy — like a pep talk from a big brother
- Reading a Bible verse (Isaiah 40:31) that gave him strength
The verse that inspired him:
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
The Challenge: TNT Was Short-Handed
TNT was already missing four key players:
- Calvin Oftana
- Jayson Castro
- Jordan Heading
- Roger Pogoy (who was injured but still called Kim!)
Kim’s mindset: "Kami kami na lang din eh" (Tagalog for "It’s only us now") — meaning the remaining players had to step up.
What Kim Did: Stepped Up Big Time
| Stat | What It Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|
| 22 points | Scored a LOT — like making 11 baskets worth 2 points each |
| 8 rebounds | Grabbed the ball after missed shots 8 times — great hustle! |
| 6 three-pointers | Made 6 long-distance shots (worth 3 points each) |
| 2 clutch threes in OT | Hit two BIG shots in overtime when the game was on the line |
In simple terms: Kim played like a superhero when his team needed him most.
Why He Played So Hard: Two Big Reasons
1. His Faith
Kim said the Bible verse reminded him that God gives strength when you’re tired. He prayed, and felt his prayers were answered.
2. Coach Chot Reyes’ Trust
Coach Chot kept putting Kim in games. Kim didn’t want to waste that chance.
"Coach Chot is giving me chances and I don’t want to waste them. I work on myself. I praise God because he heard my prayers today."
The Team Effort: Defense Wins Games
Kim gave credit to the whole team:
"Matira matibay. We focused on defense and we played great defense from start to finish."
Translation: "Survival of the fittest. We locked in on defense the whole game."
Summary: What We Learned
- Bad mornings don’t have to ruin your day — Kim turned his around
- Support from teammates matters — Roger’s call made a difference
- Faith and preparation can give you confidence when things are tough
- Defense and hustle (rebounds, effort plays) win close games
- Trust from a coach motivates players to work harder
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Who is Kim Aurin?
Kim Aurin is a young guard for TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). He played college ball at Perpetual Help.
What is the PBA Governors’ Cup?
It’s one of three conferences (tournaments) in the PBA season. Teams can hire one foreign player (called an "import") for this conference.
Why was TNT missing so many players?
Injuries and other reasons — Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Jordan Heading, and Roger Pogoy were all unavailable for this game.
What does "Matira matibay" mean?
It’s a Tagalog phrase meaning "survival of the fittest" or "only the strong survive." Kim used it to describe their mindset: they had to fight with whoever was left.
How important were Kim’s three-pointers in overtime?
Very! In overtime, every possession counts. His two three-pointers gave TNT a lead that San Miguel couldn’t overcome. They were game-changing shots.
Final Thought: Sometimes the best performances come on days when you least expect them. Kim Aurin proved that heart, faith, and preparation can turn a "bad morning" into a career night.
