For the fourth straight time, TNT Tropang 5G will march in the PBA semifinal after ousting Magnolia Hotshots, in a 118-109 series-clinching win in the continuation of the Philippine Cup playoffs at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Saturday night.
It was a total team effort for the Coach Chot Reyes-headed squad, as four Tropang 5G players scored 15+ points in the blowout, with veteran forward Calvin Oftana leading the way.
The 6-foot-5 standout paced the third-seeded TNT with a game-high 25 points. Jordan Heading also made his presence felt in the quarterfinals with 21 markers, including a series of baskets that kept the momentum on the side of Tropang 5G.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 15 points and nine rebounds, while RR Pogoy contributed 14 points.
TNT started the game with a staggering pace, controlling the match with their potent offense, which resulted in a 27-point lead in the first half. But playing coach LA Tenorio and his Hotshots did not let their All-Filipino campaign end so easily, clawing their way back into the game.
The No. 6 Hotshots made a furious comeback run in the second half that was capped off by the four straight points by Zavier Lucero to cut the lead of TNT to just single digits, 110-101.
But the championship-poise of TNT yet again prevailed in the clutch as Oftana cashed in the bank shot against Magnolia rookie Yukien Andrada for a 114-104 advantage with only 1:47 left to play.
“We had no illusion that it was going to be a cake walk. We had no illusion that it was going to be an easy game for us. So when they’re making their run, we said we just need to keep calm and keep our poise to be able to withstand that furious Magnolia run,” Reyes said after the match.
Lucero finished the game with 22 points and 13 rebounds for Magnolia, who suffered another quarterfinal defeat against TNT.
On the other side of the playoff bracket, Meralco Bolts forced a do-or-die game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after getting the 96-79 victory last night at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Facing a twice-to-win disadvantage, Meralco charged right off the bat, building a huge 35-15 first quarter lead en route to the 34-point advantage, 56-22, in the second frame that pretty much sealed the game in favor of the Bolts.
Forward CJ Cansino stepped up big time for Coach Norman Black as he provided the Bolts that much-needed extra scoring, delivering a team-high 14 points. Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge followed suit with 12 markers each.
Meanwhile, Adrian Nocum scored 17 points on a 7-of-10 clip to lead Rain or Shine, which is now looking to salvage their conference after failing to capitalize on their twice-to-beat advantage.
The do-or-die Game 2 of the series, which will determine who will occupy the third semifinal seat of the Philippine Cup, will once again take place in Araneta on Monday, December 29.