Kevin Ferrer wasted no time repaying the trust of TNT after helping his new team get past Phoenix, 93-78, to open their PBA Season 50 campaign on a winning note, Friday night at the Ynares Center II in Montalban, Rizal.
Picked up from free agency days before the golden season began, the seasoned winger went 4-of-5 from three for 12 points as he sparked the Tropang 5G’s strong third quarter to gain the separation they needed to net the W.
Ferrer nailed back-to-back triples to turn a narrow three-point lead into a 63-54 advantage with less than three minutes left in the said chapter, before the rest of the squad chipped in to pull away for good come the deciding period.
(C) PBA Images
“Kevin is a tough defender, ‘di mo rin siya pwede iwan sa labas kasi makapal din ‘yung mukha nun, tira rin nang tira ‘yun eh,” quipped Coach Chot Reyes.
But the night belonged as well to star guard Rey Nambatac, who’s finally back in action after missing the latter part of Season 49 due to a groin injury.
Last season’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP announced his comeback in a big way by pouring a game-high 22 points and six rebounds.
“Excited kasi parang four months mahigit din ata akong hindi nakapaglaro eh, so siyempre ito talaga ‘yung pinaka-pinaghandaan ko,” said Nambatac.
Calvin Oftana, now a bit fresher from a busy offseason due to Gilas duties, finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Simon Enciso added 12.
Also coming through with significant contributions was another debutant in Jio Jalalon, as he chipped in four points and seven rebounds, plus two assists.
“There were stretches na masakit sa mata ‘yung opensa namin. But as always, we rely on our defense,” said Reyes. “OK lang if our offense is not as smooth as we want it to be but as long as we can make stops, that’s important.”
(C) PBA Images
The victory should serve as a good warmup entering their game on Wednesday, October 15, as the Tropa will face Ginebra at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in an early rematch of the first two championship series from last season.
Jason Perkins and Tyler Tio, meanwhile, led Phoenix with 12 points apiece. Kai Ballungay made 11 points while Ken Tuffin added 10 in the defeat.
The Scores:
TNT 93 – Nambatac 22, Oftana 15, Enciso 12, Ferrer 12, Khobuntin 9, Pogoy 8, Galinato 8, Jalalon 4, Williams 3, Hill 0.
Phoenix 78 – Tio 12, Perkins 12, Ballungay 11, Tuffin 10, Nelle 9, Rivero 8, Santos 6, Manganti 5, Jazul 3, Taha 2, Caperal 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21, 45-42, 66-56, 93-78.
