TNT got back on track in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup by adding to Terrafirma’s woes, 101-89, Saturday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The reigning champions got off to a 33-22 start and would lead by as many as 22 points during the third, but had to stave off the Dyip’s rally in the final frame before securing the bounce-back after a narrow loss to Meralco last Tuesday.
With the result, the Tropang 5G improved to 3-2 in the standings, joining Phoenix and Ginebra at the third spot as they all carry identical records.
(C) PBA Images
“We’re still far from that level,” said head coach Chot Reyes as he remains far from pleased with their form despite returning to the win column. “I hope we can pick it up because the competition in this conference is very tough.”
Bol Bol led the way once more with 35 points and 14 rebounds plus four of the team’s seven blocks on his way to another Player of the Game citation.
Calvin Oftana backed him up with a double-double of his own with 20 points and 12 rebounds as the duo came through in repelling the opposition late.
The former NBA cager found the star wing open on the corner, and the latter didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger, knocking down the trifecta to push their lead back to 97-88 with 2:20, which practically stopped their foes’ momentum.
Kelly Williams would make it a 10-point gap with a split, before Oftana applied the final touches by going 3-of-4 from the line inside the last 40 seconds.
TNT will now look to build another streak as it heads into a relatively lighter stretch, in which the crew goes up against Blackwater (April 14), Titan Ultra (April 18), and Converge (April 22) in their next three games.
“Ang dami pang malakas na team. And the way we’re playing… we have so much more to work on,” the champion bench tactician warned.
(C) PBA Images
Mubashar Ali, on the other hand, had 24 points and 17 rebounds for the Dyip, who succumbed to their third consecutive loss after a 3-0 start.
Jerrick Ahanmisi made 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Brent Paraiso added 13, as Coach Ronald Tubid received limited offense with Maverick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez both out due to injuries.
Terrafirma will try to arrest its skid against the unbeaten Rain or Shine (6-0) on April 15, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
TNT 101 – Bol 35, Oftana 20, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 6, Nava 6, Castro 5, Ferrer 3, Aurin 3, Galinato 2, Heading 2, Williams 0, Nieto 0, Khobuntin 0.
Terrafirma 89 – Ali 24, J.Ahanamisi 19, Paraiso 13, Hanapi 7, Chiu 5, Zaldivar 5, Bravo 4, Eriobu 4, Garcia 3, Umali 3, Catapusan 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 33-22, 53-44, 82-66, 101-89.
