Despite everything that came its way, TNT is marching on to the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals after showing Rain or Shine the door, 97-89, in Game 6 of their semis battle at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.
In another solid example of how experience makes the difference, the Tropang 5G put together a strong finish from an 80-all deadlock.
With the win, they secured the first ticket to the Last Dance against either Ginebra or San Miguel.
Calvin Oftana completed a three-point play, before Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser slammed it home off a steal. Jordan Heading then knocked down a trey for the critical 8-0 run toward an 88-80 lead with 2:39 remaining in the match.
That rally put them ahead for good. But if it was not enough, Heading and ‘BGR’ connived for six straight points to inflate their lead to a dozen, 94-82 with 1:12 left, thus making it a 14-2 assault from the aforementioned knot.
Eventually, the final buzzer rang, and the TNT players crashed around hugging each other. They had overcome an injury jinx and a young yet gritty Elasto Painters side to reach the Finals — and keep their Grand Slam hopes very much alive.
(C) PBA Images
“As you saw today, these guys, they do not know the meaning of quit. They just keep fighting,” lauded head coach Chot Reyes as his team managed to advance despite missing stars Kelly Williams and Roger Pogoy due to injuries.
Heading top-scored for TNT with 29 points for easily his best showing with the ball club — just a point shy, actually, of matching his league career-high.
Ganuelas-Rosser supplied 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three blocks off the bench. Both he and the lefty guard came through with solid performances after combining for seven points back in Game 5.
Kim Aurin made 13 points and five rebounds while Oftana, still battling despite a pair of ankle injuries, added 12 markers, five rebounds, and four assists.
“All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance,” reflected Reyes of what’s been an impressive turnaround. “Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage.
“We just wanted to get to the playoffs, and we just figured whoever it is that we need to beat twice, then so be it. Number two, we came together… and that’s what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up,” he added.
(C) PBA Images
Caelan Tiongson, meanwhile, had 30 points to lead Rain or Shine, which fell to TNT in the semis for the third straight time after beating them in the Season 48 Philippine Cup quarters — the conference where their semis streak began.
Andrei Caracut had 15 points while Adrian Nocum added 11 markers for the Elasto Painters, who are heading into a busy offseason ahead as Coach Yeng Guiao wants his men to get back to work after a quick vacation.
The Scores:
TNT 97 – Heading 29, Ganuelas-Rosser 17, Khobuntin 16, Aurin 13, Oftana 12, Heruela 5, Enciso 3, Erram 2, Varilla 0, Vosotros 0, Galinato 0
Rain or Shine 89 – Tiongson 30, Caracut 15, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 9, Clarito 8, Asistio 7, Santillan 4, Malonzo 3, Datu 2, Norwood 0.
Quarterscores: 28-27, 47-50, 69-70, 97-89.
