In a meeting between all-Filipino teams, TNT handed NorthPort a harsh exit by way of a 99-79 decision to close out its PBA Season 39 Governors’ Cup group stage campaign on a high note, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The reigning champions overcame the Batang Pier’s hot start fueled by Arvin Tolentino through a solid second-quarter reversal, before breaking away for good in the final chapter en route to finishing the round with a 7-3 record.
As the top seed of Group A, the Tropang Giga will face Group B’s fourth seed, which could either be NLEX or Blackwater, in the quarterfinals.
Both carry similar 4-5 records and will fight for the said spot through their respective assignments. The Road Warriors will take on Ginebra later tonight, while the Bossing are set to collide with Rain or Shine on Monday.
“We just have to be as prepared as possible, take advantage of these next two days to prepare a game plan that is going to make us as ready as possible for whoever it is that we face,” said head coach Chot Reyes.
Poy Erram showed the way with 17 points and 13 rebounds, along with four assists plus a steal and a block each to earn Player of the Game honors.
Rey Nambatac came through with his own double-double by finishing with 15 points, spiked by two triples, and 11 rebounds with four steals.
Roger Pogoy made 14 points on three treys, while Henry Galinato chipped in 11 markers and seven rebounds as the locals collectively stepped up in the absence of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to rest his banged-up ankle.
“We decided to completely rest up his ankle, He should be OK. I think ganun naman sa playoffs e, everyone naman meron nang iniinda. You know, little bits of aches and pains here and there,” said Reyes.
Tolentino, on the other hand, finished with 24 points and six rebounds to lead NorthPort, who finished its conference with only three wins in 10 outings.
The Scores:
TNT 99 – Erram 17, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 14, Galinato 11, Williams 9, Oftana 7, Castro 6, Khobuntin 5, Ebona 4, Vosotros 3, Payawal 3, Heruela 2, Varilla 2, Exciminiano 1.
NorthPort 79 – Tolentino 24, Flores 18, Onwubere 7, Jalalon 6, Yu 5, Navarro 5, Amores 4, Nelle 3, Munzon 2, Taha 2, Cuntapay 2, Tratter 0, Bulanadi 0.
Quarterscores: 19-25, 43-36, 65-60, 99-79.
