TNT one win away from another PBA Finals after win over RoS

July 3 ------ TNT grabbed a 3-1 lead in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals after a 108-92 victory over Rain or Shine in Game Four on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Jordan Heading had his best game in a TNT uniform with 23 points while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser finished with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds for a Tropang 5G side without RR Pogoy, Jayson Castro, and Rey Nambatac.

As if those injuries weren't enough, the Tropang 5G also lost Kelly Williams in Game 4 due to a sprained ankle. Yet TNT won comfortably behind big games from its bench and a defense that held Rain or Shine below 100 points and to 32-percent shooting.

The Tropang 5G also drew big games from unsung heroes Glenn Khobuntin, Henry Galinato Jr., and Brian Heruela during a key 13-3 blast that enabled TNT to close the third quarter with an 80-69 lead.

TNT can clinch a finals berth and move four wins away from the PBA's first grand slam since 2014 - and only the sixth in the league's 49 years - when Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is played on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

TNT also continued the trend of winning Game 4 in the semifinals against Rain or Shine this season, which it did in the first two conferences.

“In the end, it was our defense that fueled the offense. As long as we are able to generate stops, then we get a lot of possessions for ourselves to score, and we made some adjustments at halftime to counter their defensive schemes,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

Calvin Oftana had 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, despite sustaining ankle sprains on both feet.

Khobuntin had 11 of his 16 points in the third quarter including back-to-back baskets during a 9-0 blast that broke a 67-67 deadlock. In total, TNT outscored Rain or Shine in that period, 39-22.

Galinato, a RoS draft pick traded to TNT, played 12 minutes and five seconds but was still able to contribute eight points and four rebounds, while Heruela, playing for the first time since an ankle sprain during the Magnolia quarterfinal series, had two points, three rebounds, three assists, and four steals.

Gabe Norwood had 18 points and nine rebounds, while Andrei Caracut added 16 points and seven rebounds, but Rain or Shine was pushed to the brink with the Game 4 defeat.

Rain or Shine was still up, 41-33, in the second quarter but TNT kept it close at halftime with eight consecutive points.

The scores:

TNT 108 – Heading 23, Ganuelas-Rosser 22, Oftana 16, Khobuntin 16, Erram 16, Galinato 8, Erram 8, Aurin 7, Vosotros 6, Heruela 2, Williams 0, Nieto 0, Varilla 0, Enciso 0.

Rain or Shine 92 – Norwood 18, Caracut 16, Tiongson 15, Nocum 12, Santillan 9, Datu 7, Mamuyac 7, Clarito 4, Asistio 2, Malonzo 2.

Quarters: 22-28; 41-47; 80-69; 108-92

Editor's note:

In the other semi-finals game, San Miguel used a huge third-quarter binge to defeat Barangay Ginebra in Game Four, 107-82, and even their series at 2-2.

Source: spin.ph