TNT did it on both ends in the clutch to stop the streaking Converge by way of a pulsating 98-96 decision for its fourth win in a row in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Calvin Oftana and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered the biggest of shots inside the game’s final 2:47 before the Tropang Giga relied on defense in the closing seconds to shackle the FiberXers and stop their win streak to four games.
Oftana first nailed the game-tying three-pointer from the right wing, before RHJ struck the go-ahead bucket – a tough fadeaway jumper – with 1:07 left as he made Cheick Diallo pay dearly for missing both of his free throws prior.
Then came their stifling defense as a collective, with the crew preventing their much younger foes from getting any good look at the basket and forcing a 24-second shot clock violation with only 9.5 seconds left to play.
“There’s no such thing as an easy game in this league anymore. Every game is going to come down to that,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes. “That’s why I always keep reminding the players and I hope you always keep preaching defense.”
Hollis-Jefferson filled up the stat sheet once more with 31 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block to lead TNT, who improved to 4-2.
Roger Pogoy finished with a conference-high 22 points and five rebounds as he overcame a minor leg injury he suffered seconds into the match.
Rey Nambatac supplied 13 points while Oftana chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Tropang Giga, who actually started out with 11 unanswered points before finding themselves in a see-saw battle.
Reyes and Co. will look to extend their streak to five when they take on the skidding NLEX on Wednesday, January 15, also at the NAS.
Diallo, on the other hand, had 37 points and 15 rebounds for Converge in the streak-busting defeat that dropped their record to 6-3.
Justine Baltazar made 17 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Heading and Deschon Winston added 12 and 11 markers, respectively, as they tried to pick up the slack on a night Alec Stockton got held to seven points.
The loss also spoiled the debut of Pampanga Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda on the sidelines as he’s officially listed as an assistant coach.
The FiberXers will try to bounce back immediately when they face Rain or Shine on Tuesday, January 14, also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 31, Pogoy 22, Nambatac 13, Oftana 12, Khobuntin 8, K.Williams 4, Aurin 3, Erram 3, Castro 2, Razon 0, Exciminiano 0, Galinato 0.
Converge 96 – Diallo 37, Baltazar 17, Heading 12, Winston 11, Arana 9, Stockton 7, Racal 3, Santos 0, Delos Santos 0, Andrade 0, Nieto 0, Javillonar 0
Quarterscores: 27-27, 46-44, 77-79, 98-96.
