TNT bucked the jarring exit of Poy Erram and sent Blackwater skidding anew by way of a 109-93 conquest to go on a two-game roll in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang Giga lost their big man at the 4:03 mark of the third canto following a scary fall, but still had the resolve to pull away in the final frame.
They have now reached .500 for the first time after starting with back-to-back losses.
“The good thing was after that last game, we had a long break and we used the break to really work on a lot of our mechanics, especially defensively,” said Coach Chot Reyes as they had an eight-day break prior to the Bossing game.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson top-scored for TNT with 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block – all while dealing with a minor ankle sprain.
The two-time Best Import was the one who subbed in when Erram got hurt, and played an important role in keeping the Bossing at bay after the latter threatened and got to within multiple times early in the fourth.
He helped spark the key 9-3 run together with Roger Pogoy, Henry Galinato, and Rey Nambatac toward the 103-88 lead with 4:24 left to play and Bossing could only afford to play catch-up for the rest of the night.
Nambatac finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Calvin Oftana flirted with a double-double with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Jayson Castro punched in 16 points, two assists, and three steals in a winning return after missing their first three games due to hamstring issues.
Roger Pogoy made 12 points while Glenn Khobuntin added 10 as the two-way specialists’ efforts in helping RHJ defend George King paid dividends,
The prolific reinforcement was held to a conference-low 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the floor – including 1-of-6 from four – and nine rebounds.
“Towards the last couple of days [of practice], we focused on how to stop George King. We all know his ability from the four-point line. So we were very intentional in guarding the four-point line against George,” said Reyes.
RK Ilagan was his lone support with 19 points as the spitfire guard bannered that fourth-quarter comeback attempt until he hurt his leg.
He managed to return later in the match but it was too little too late for another rally, and the Bossing went on to go 1-5 in the team standings.
Both teams are bound for a lengthy holiday break as they won’t play until January next year when the mid-season tourney continues.
TNT will take on Meralco on January 7, while Blackwater faces Rain or Shine the following day. Both matches will be at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Scores:
TNT 109 – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 19, Oftana 18, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 10, Galinato 6, Erram 4, Razon 2, Varilla 0, Aurin 0, Exciminiano 0.
Blackwater 93 – King 28, Ilagan 19, Chua 9, Kwekuteye 9, David 8, Suerte 5, Escoto 4, Ponferrada 3, Montalbo 2, Casio 2, Corteza 2, Guinro 1, Ayonayon 1, Jopia 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 57-48, 82-69, 109-93
