ANTIPOLO – TNT arrested its two-game slide before heading into a lengthy break with a 31-point clobbering of Terrafirma, 121-90, in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday night at the Ynares Center here.
Cam Oliver put on a show with 26 points and 15 rebounds, but received plenty of help from the locals as well that ultimately allowed the Tropang Giga to improve to 4-4 — in the process sending the Dyip to their 24th straight loss.
The win is definitely huge for the flagship MVP franchise before its 11-day break for the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers’ fifth window.
“Right now we’re facing a long break and hopefully, we can take advantage of that to give these guys some rest,” said head coach Chot Reyes.
JJ Alejandro starred with a career-high 17 points on a 7-of-8 clip from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in 16 minutes off the bench.
Calvin Oftana, coming off a 27-point eruption against Phoenix, supplied 15 points and five rebounds. Poy Erram made 14 markers, while Jayson Castro and Jaydee Tungcab had 11 markers apiece in the victory.
“We just came back and focused on the things we could control—The things that are around us, the way we defend, the way we rebound, the way we put in the extra effort,” said Reyes after their back-to-back losses.
TNT was still without Mikey Williams as he continues to serve a team-imposed one-week suspension as a disciplinary action. Out as well was Kib Montalbo after undergoing appendectomy just recently.
Terrafirma was led by Lester Prosper with 32 points and 15 rebounds as the quest for that elusive win continues for the woeful ball club.
Eric Camson and Juami Tiongson finished with 16 points apiece for the Dyip, who have fallen to 0-8 in the mid-season conference.
The Scores:
TNT 121 – Oliver 26, Alejandro 17, Oftana 15, Erram 14, Castro 11, Tungcab 11, Pogoy 9, Khobuntin 7, K.Williams 5, Cruz 3, Heruela 3, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Terrafirma 90 – Prosper 32, Camson 16, Tiongson 16, Alolino 7, Cabagnot 5, Calvo 5, Gomez de Liano 3, Mina 2, Cahilig 2, Ramos 2, Gabayni 0, Munzon 0.
Quarterscores: 22-17, 45-39, 82-62, 121-90
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
