TNT needed to stave off Macau in the endgame before coming away with the 119-112 decision in the bag to return to the win column of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Friday evening.
The Tropang 5G witnessed the 10-point lead they erected approaching the game’s last five minutes become just one, 113-112, with 26.3 seconds left after the pesky Damian Chongqui and the Black Knights got going offensively.
Fortunately for the defending conference champions, the guest team couldn’t deliver the haymaker, with key cogs Jenning Leung and Phoenix Shackelford struggling to connect most especially from rainbow country.
Jordan Heading would go on to make perfect trips to the foul line inside the final 23.6 seconds, ultimately enabling the crew to leave with the narrow win, which put them back on track after bowing to Converge the last time out.
TNT improved to 6-3 in the process, keeping as well its aspirations of finishing among the Top Four which merits a win-once quarterfinal incentive.
Bol Bol led the Tropa with 37 points and 14 rebounds.
