Tim Cone says Jordan Heading will be a ‘huge player’ for TNT Tropang Giga

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel finally got the better of TNT Tropang Giga, defeating them 97–78 in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, June 8.

The game also marked the Tropang Giga debut of Filipino-Australian star Jordan Heading, who was acquired from the Converge FiberXers in exchange for Mikey Williams. However, it was not a debut to remember, as TNT saw its six-game winning streak come to an end.

The 29-year-old finished with 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, along with three rebounds, three assists, and a steal in approximately 19 minutes of action. The game held significance for both the franchise and the player, as Heading was returning from a back injury that forced him to miss TNT’s match against the Blackwater Bossing on Friday, June 6.

Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone knows the Filipino-Australian well, having coached him for Gilas Pilipinas, and is a big fan of Heading. He revealed in the post-match press conference that the guard is going to be a major asset for Tropang Giga moving forward.

“I don’t wanna play him four games from now. Three or four games from now, they are going to figure out where exactly Jordan Heading is going to fit. We know he is a huge talent. Heading fits the style and tempo that they play. Give them a little more time — he’s gonna be huge for what they do,” Cone stated.

Despite the loss, TNT’s new guy Jordan Heading is all smiles for his debut with the Tropang 5G. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PLOcluJQHN

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) June 8, 2025

The game was especially meaningful for Heading, as he had just returned from a long-term back injury and was simply happy to be back on the court after receiving medical clearance from the team doctors.

“It was amazing. I couldn’t stop smiling — I was so happy to be back out there. I’ve been pretty bored not being on the court, so it felt good to be back in between the lines. They took me to their doctor and he cleared me. Obviously, time’s ticking and the playoffs are right around the corner, so I just wanted to get my feet wet,” Heading said.

“I just wanted to fast-track getting into game shape, and there’s no better way to do that than by playing,” he added.

The loss not only snapped TNT’s six-game winning streak but also marked their fifth defeat of the Philippine Cup. Having already secured a playoff spot, TNT will aim to end the group stage on a high note when they face the Magnolia Hotshots in their final game on Friday, June 13, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

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