TNT advanced to the PBA Season 50 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’ comeback bid 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 champions would maximize such an advantage versus the Hotshots, who’s semis drought extended to five conferences now.
