MANILA – TNT Tropang GIGA maintained its unblemished slate in the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) Philippine Cup after an 83-76 victory over Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Jayson Castro spearheaded the offense with 17 points, four assists, and three blocks, while rookie Mikey Williams added 14 points as the Tropang GIGA remained on top of the standings and moved closer to a sure postseason berth with a 6-0 record.
Kelly Williams had his best game since returning from a brief retirement, finishing with a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds for TNT, while Roger Pogoy and Jeth Troy Rosario ended with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
With a 35-32 halftime lead, the Tropang GIGA used the scoring of Pogoy, Rosario, and Castro to stretch the gap to 52-42. The Hotshots rallied to within 52-56, but Kelly’s buzzer-beating three-pointer secured TNT a 59-52 edge entering the fourth.
Kelly and Castro’s three-pointers at the start of the final frame gave the Tropang GIGA their largest lead at 69-56. The Hotshots closed the gap to 63-69, but Kelly held them at bay with another trifecta for TNT.
Magnolia made one final push at 66-72 with almost two minutes remaining, but Castro drilled a three-pointer for TNT, followed by free throws from Kelly and another three-pointer from John Paul Erram to secure the win.
Calvin Abueva led the Hotshots (5-2) with 23 points and six rebounds, as Paul Lee tallied 13 points, while Ian Sangalang and Andy Mark Barroca dropped 10 points each.
In the first game, Terrafirma Dyip (3-4) overcame a double-digit deficit and subpar showing from Juan Miguel Tiongson to record its third consecutive victory by taking down Blackwater Bossing (0-7), 96-84.
Trailing 27-40 in the second quarter, the Dyip gradually clawed its way back behind hits by Reden Celda, Aklanon Andreas Cahilig, and Tiongson to tie the score at 65-all after three quarters.
Terrafirma went for the kill in the fourth canto as it turned a slim 69-67 lead to a huge 91-73 spread with Celda, Aldrech Ramos, and Rashawn McCarthy converting their baskets.
Ramos led all scorers with 17 points, followed by Celda and Cahilig with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Tiongson struggled for the Dyip with just 10 points after setting career-highs against the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
Meanwhile, due to health and safety concerns, Sunday’s second game between reigning champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and Meralco Bolts has been postponed.
The PBA postponed a match for the second consecutive day after the league’s decision last Saturday to postpone the game between the San Miguel Beermen and Alaska Aces for the same reason.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 83 – Castro 17, M. Williams 14, K. Williams 13, Pogoy 12, Rosario 11, Erram 9, Marcelo 4, Heruela 2, Reyes 1, Khobuntin 0, Montalbo 0, Alejandro 0, Exciminiano 0.
MAGNOLIA 76 – Abueva 23, Lee 13, Sangalang 10, Barroca 10, Jalalon 9, Corpuz 5, Dela Rosa 4, Reavis 2, Melton 0, Ahanmisi 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
15-15, 35-32, 59-52, 83-76./PN
