Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac were the duo TNT used to eventually take down Rain or Shine, 108-91, and build a 2-0 lead in their PBA Season 39 Governors’ Cup semifinal duel, Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The duo combined for 24 of the Tropang Giga’s 38 points in the third quarter, outscoring their counterparts by themselves as the crew limited the usually potent Elasto Painters to only 21 for a commanding 85-65 advantage.
The game would never be in doubt since, and the defending champions would move only two wins away from sweeping their way to a Finals return.
Oftana finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, taking the spotlight after Nambatac did so in Game 1 after powering their third-quarter assault to mark yet another former Yeng Guiao pupil proving to be a thorn in the latter’s side.
Nambatac provided 17 markers this time, spiked by a pair of three-pointers, alongside six rebounds and four assists — all without a single turnover.
“Galing ako sa kaniya and nothing against him this game. I’m trying to compete. Kung saan ako ngayon, I’m giving all. Ganoon naman talaga eh, nagtatrabaho ako kung saan ako ngayon,” said the 28-year-old winger.
Top-scoring for TNT was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as he delivered a game-high 23 points, which he laced with eight rebounds and two assists.
Kim Aurin rounded up the Tropa’s scoring leaders with 11 points in the victory that saw a total of 10 players contribute at least five points.
“We know Rondae’s capability, tao lang din siya, napapagod. It’s us na mag-step up sa game namin. It’s not just today’s game but for the rest of the series,” offered Oftana, who fired four of the team’s 12 shots from the first arc.
Game 3 of the best-of-7 battle is on Sunday at the Dasmarinas City Arena in Cavite, with TNT of course looking to establish a 3-0 lead.
Jhonard Clarito, on the other hand, led Rain or Shine with 18 points as he stepped up on a night Aaron Fuller got hounded on defense.
The bruising import was held to only 13 points and six rebounds with three assists, shooting just 5-of-11 from the floor as his struggles continued in the series, no thanks to the collective effort of his counterparts on D.
“The job that Poy Erram and Henry Galinato are doing on Aaron Fuller, I think, is very commendable, especially now that we don’t have Kelly [Williams]. That’s where it starts, the defensive end,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes.
The Scores:
TNT 108 – Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 18, Nambatac 17, Aurin 11, Pogoy 8, Galinato 8, Erram 6, Khobuntin 6, Castro 5, Heruela 5, Payawal 1, Ebona 0, Varilla 0, Exciminiano 0.
Rain or Shine 91 – Clarito 18, Fuller 13, Caracut 9, Lemetti 9, Belga 9, Norwood 9, Datu 8, Santillan 5, Nocum 3, Villegas 3, Mamuyac 3, Asistio 2, Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 17-21, 47-44, 85-65, 108-91.
