TNT advanced to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals by keeping its mastery of Magnolia, 118-109, on Saturday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang 5G raced to a 16-6 start before building a 43-19 lead early in the second chapter to stay ahead, but needed to repel their foes’ rally on the way to becoming the second team to reach the final four next to San Miguel.
And they did as much by repeating against the same team they beat by way of a 94-83 decision in the penultimate game of the eliminations last December 21, which also enabled the crew to secure a win-once quarterfinal incentive.
Quite ironically, last season’s double champs would maximize as much versus the Hotshots, who are missing the semis for the fifth time in a row–their longest drought since the league reverted to the three-conference format in 2010.
(C) PBA Images
“Like I said the last time out, we came out thinking that we need to win two games to get to the Final Four,” reflected head coach Chot Reyes.
“I am happy to deliver the second part of the transaction tonight,” he added. “We took care of the first part, and now we took care of the second part.”
Calvin Oftana went 5-of-6 from three-point distance and finished with 25 points alongside five assists for TNT. Jordan Heading fired 21 points, highlighted by a four-pointer, as the spitfire duo bannered the balanced attack.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser flirted with a double-double after tallying 15 points and nine rebounds, while Roger Pogoy added 14 off the bench.
It was, indeed, a team effort for the Tropa with those such as Kelly Williams, Jio Jalalon, and Henry Galinato chipping in at least seven points each in the win.
(C) PBA Images
Leading Magnolia was Zavier Lucero with 22 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out, although he was crucial in his side’s attempt to mount a comeback from a 104-89 deficit entering the game’s final three minutes.
Rome Dela Rosa supplied 19 points, while the comebacking Jerom Lastimosa made 18 points and five assists as they, too, helped their squad get back into the game, but Oftana and the rest of TNT were hardly bothered.
“Nag-focus kami sa kung ano ang kaya naming gawin,” said Oftana, who went 8-for-11 from the field overall. “I also told my teammates na kung sino ang nasa loob, be composed lang. Gagawa ang Magnolia ng paraan.”
Mark Barroca had 14 points and 13 assists, as Ian Sangalang and rookie wing Yukien Andrada added 13 markers apiece in the defeat.
The Scores:
TNT 118 – Oftana 25, Heading 21, Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Pogoy 14, Aurin 9, Williams 8, Nambatac 8, Jalalon 7, Galinato 7, Khobuntin 4, Ferrer 0, Enciso 0.
Magnolia 109 – Lucero 22, Dela Rosa 19, Lastimosa 18, Barroca 14, Sangalang 13, Andrada 13, Gomez de Liano 4, Tenorio 3, Verano 2, Koon 1, Alfaro 0, Laput 0.
Quarterscores: 32-16, 52-41, 81-73, 118-109.
