TNT kept its title defense bid alive after dragging NLEX to a sudden death by way of a 96-93 decision in a pulsating start to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Wednesday.
Bol Bol finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds, coming through in the clutch by hitting the marginal split from the free throw line to break the 93-all knot with 1:08 to go before the crew denied the opposition from getting solid looks.
Deschon Winston’s pull-up went in and out, Bol sank his charities with 5.7 seconds left for the eventual scoreline, and then prevented counterpart Cady Lalanne from hitting one from deep as time expired, sealing the victory.
(C) PBA Images
Bol did star in the campaign-saving win, but for a change, he received plenty of support as the local stars came through with commendable performances.
Calvin Oftana fired 19 points behind a 4-of-8 clip from three-point distance and five rebounds, with Roger Pogoy rifling 15 markers, including 12 in the third quarter alone, together with three rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Jayson Castro made 14 points in a historic night as well for ‘The Blur’ after becoming the 18th player to join the elite 10,000 points club.
“I think this is the first game in the whole conference that we had those three other guys in double figures. Hindi magsabay-sabay na maganda ang laro nina Calvin, Roger, and Jayson, eh,” head coach Chot Reyes said.
“This is the first time that the three of them got off to a double-figure output. As long as we can get that kind of help around Bol, then we give ourselves better chances of winning,” the champion bench tactician added.
(C) PBA Images
Lalanne, on the other hand, had 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead an NLEX team that missed Robert Bolick in the final 4:33 due to foul trouble.
Bolick had 15 points, three rebounds, and four assists before fouling out, and his presence was indeed missed, as the squad lost its primary closer.
Xyrus Torres had 14 points. Tony Semerad made 11 while Winston had a silent 10 for the Road Warriors, who are in danger of not advancing to the semifinals for the third time in four quarterfinals with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The rubber match is set on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with the winner facing either Meralco or Magnolia in the semifinals.
The Scores:
TNT 96 – Bol 34, Oftana 19, Pogoy 15, Castro 14, Nambatac 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Galinato 2, Heading 0, Quitevis 0, Khobuntin 0, Williams 0
NLEX 93 – Lalanne 17, Bolick 15, Torres 14, Gonzales 13, Semerad 11, Winston 10, Rodger 8, Ramirez 3, Bahio 2, Racal 0, Fajardo 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 50-52, 76-72, 96-93.
