MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga survived Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots’ uprising for a 105-93 triumph in Game 2 of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
After seeing their once 21-point edge trimmed to 86-90, Tropang Giga leaned on seven straight points from rookie Mikey Williams and Brian Heruela to widen the lead to 97-86.
The Hotshots trimmed it to 89-97 via a three-point play by Aris Dionisio but a three-pointer by Williams and four straight points by Jayson Castro gave the Tropang Giga a 104-89 advantage with under a minute left.
Williams spearheaded the Tropang Giga with 28 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with nine rebounds and six assists. Jayson Castro added 16 markers.
Jeth Troy Rosario chipped in 12 points, while Brian Heruela and Ryan Reyes made timely contributions with 11 and 10 markers, respectively, hoisting a total of 17 triples in the match.
With a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven titular showdown, the Tropang Giga can move closer to their first-ever PBA championship since 2015 in Game 3 at 4:35 p.m. on Sunday.
Just like in Game 1, the Tropang Giga caught fire from the three-point arc in the opening quarter behind Williams, Heruela, Reyes, Castro and Roger Pogoy for a 40-27 advantage.
Outside hits by Heruela and Kelly Williams in the second period gave the Tropang Giga its largest lead at 57-36 but the Hotshots slowly clawed its way back to come to within 50-66 at the half.
Magnolia continued its uprising in the second half, outscoring TNT 29-20 in the third quarter before pulling even closer at 90-86 in the fourth frame behind inside hits from Ian Sangalang.
Sangalang finished the game with 25 points and eight rebounds. Paul Lee added 12 markers, while Calvin Abueva and Andy Mark Barroca tallied 11 markers apiece for the Hotshots.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 105 – M. Williams 28, Castro 16, Rosario 12, Heruela 11, Reyes 10, Pogoy 9, Erram 6, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 5, K. Williams 3, Exciminiano 0.
MAGNOLIA 93 – Sangalang 23, Lee 12, Abueva 11, Barroca 11, Dionisio 9, Dela Rosa 6, Ahanmisi 6, Jalalon 5, Corpuz 4, Reavis 4.
Quarterscores: 40-27, 66-50, 86-79, 105-93./PN
