TNT turned it up in the third quarter and left the upset-seeking Phoenix a frustrated bunch, 108-101, for a convincing bounce-back victory in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang Giga fired six triples in a 42-point explosion in the period to take the 84-81 lead entering the fourth, and momentum would never leave their side as they went on to complete the comeback from as many as 23 down.
“The most important was that at halftime we felt that we’re not giving up. We’re in the belief that we could still win the game,” said head coach Chot Reyes
Roger Pogoy top-scored with 23 points and eight rebounds in the victory that hiked their card to 5-4, inching closer to a quarterfinal berth.
Calvin Oftana made 19 points and nine rebounds, while Kelly Williams submitted a vintage performance of 17 points and 13 rebounds.
“At halftime, it was for me, checking my ego, checking myself, seeing what I can do to help the team, because that’s why coach brought me in and brought me back to do — to help the team with whatever I can do,” Williams said.
Kim Aurin supplied 12 points, including nine in the third alone as he sank half of TNT’s treys in that strong push that rattled the Fuel Masters.
Glenn Khobuntin chipped in 11 points on three treys for TNT, who rose to fifth in the conference standings and will look to close out its elimination round campaign with wins against Converge (May 1) and TNT (May 5).
Jason Perkins, on the other hand, had a game-high 26 points to lead Phoenix, although he was held to just five points in the second half.
JJay Alejandro had 16 points while Kenneth Tuffin made 13 points and six rebounds for the Fuel Masters, which fell to 11th with a 3-6 record.
Coach Jamike Jarin’s wards will try to stay in the quarters race as they face Meralco (April 26) and Blackwater (May 4) in their last eliminations games.
The Scores:
TNT 108 – Pogoy 23, Oftana 19, Williams 17, Aurin 12, Khobuntin 11, Castro 7, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Montalbo 4, Heruela 3, Ponferrada 2, Reyes 2, Galinato 0, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Ebona 0.
Phoenix 101 – Perkins 26, Alejandro 16, Tuffin 13, Rivero 11, Salado 10, Jasul 8, Muyang 4, Mocon 4, Garcia 3, Daves 3, Soyud 2, Lalata 1, Verano 0, Camacho 0.
Quarterscores: 22-29, 42-62, 84-81, 108-101.
