PBA: Hot-shooting TNT dominates San Miguel to even Finals series at 2-2

MANILA, January 29 ------ The TNT Tropang 5G shot the lights out to even their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals series against the San Miguel Beermen at two games apiece. Calvin Oftana and company found their touch to dominate the Beermen, 110-87, in Game 4 of the best-of-seven affair at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, with the former San Beda University star pouring in 29 points highlighted by five three-point bombs laced with six rebounds and four steals. "It was very important for us to get our offense on track. A way to beat a team like San Miguel is by scoring," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes after the match. "Fortunately, we shot well from the field, but the most important thing was that we put up a complete game together. That’s a way to beat a team like this, to play like this for the full 48 minutes," he added.

Also stepping up was Jordan Heading, who drained a four-point shot from the backcourt en route to 17 points with six assists, while Rey Nambatac added 13 markers to go with five boards and three dimes. TNT will now look to regain the series lead in what has become a best-of-three showdown on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Tropang 5G will aim to replicate their explosive start in Game 4. Trailing 4-6 early, TNT erupted for 13 straight points to seize a 17-6 cushion with 5:41 remaining in the opening frame, a surge that set the tone for the rest of the contest. They sustained their shooting onslaught by stretching the lead to 28, 58-30, before halftime after shooting 59.5 percent from the field.

TNT later blew the game wide open, pulling away by as much as 35, 82-47, following a Simon Enciso triple at the 5:24 mark of the third quarter — a deficit that proved too much for the Beermen to overcome. One concern for TNT moving forward, however, is the status of RR Pogoy. The veteran gunner reaggravated his hamstring injury and exited the game in the second quarter. Pogoy did not return, leaving his availability for the remainder of the Finals uncertain. On the other hand, June Mar Fajardo’s Best Player of the Conference crowning night was spoiled with the loss, and this was despite his 18-point, 16-rebound performance. Don Trollano followed with 13 markers, while CJ Perez was limited to 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field.

The Scores:

TNT 110 – Oftana 29, Heading 17, Nambatac 13, Williams 8, Enciso 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Galinato 6, Khobuntin 6, Pogoy 6, Aurin 4, Jalalon 2, Ferrer 2, Erram 2, Nieto 0, Hill 0.

San Miguel 87– Fajardo 18, Trollano 13, Perez 11, Tautuaa 9, Cruz 9, Cahilig 8, Rosales 4, Miller 4, Tiongson 3, Calma 3, Teng 3, Brondial 2, Mantua 0, Lassiter 0, Ross 0.

Quarterscores: 35-18, 65-40, 87-61, 110-87.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com