MANILA – Calvin Oftana caught fire from the three-point area as TNT Tropang Giga secured a 103-100 victory over Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The former San Beda University Red Lions star finished with a career-high of 42 points, including nine three-point conversions, to go with seven rebounds as the Tropang Giga improved to a 1-2 win-loss slate.
“I am thanking my teammates because they are passing me the ball tapos naco-convert ko naman,” Oftana said. “Mas naging focus lang din kami this game kasi nung past two games medyo on cloud pa ‘yung mga teammates ko.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in 41 markers, including three three-point conversions, to go with 13 rebounds, five assists, and four steals for the Tropang Giga, which were shorthanded with the absence of veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams.
With the Hotshots threatening to within 88-91 with over two minutes left, the Tropang Giga got consecutive three-pointers from Roger Pogoy and Oftana followed by two free throws from Hollis-Jefferson for a 99-88 lead.
The Hotshots responded with baskets from Ricardo Ratliffe and Andy Mark Barroca, but a three-pointer from Oftana followed by a free throw from Hollis-Jefferson sealed the win for the Tropang Giga.
Ricardo Ratliffe finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Barroca, Calvin Abueva, and Jerom Lastimosa contributed 18 markers apiece as the Hotshots dropped to a 1-3 record.
Meanwhile, Adrian Nocum stepped up in the fourth quarter as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters outdueled San Miguel Beermen, 107-93, on Tuesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
Down 76-78 midway through the fourth period, the Painters went on a 14-1 scoring blast behind Nocum, Keith Datu, and reinforcement Deon Thompson to build a 90-79 advantage.
The Beermen still threatened to within 83-90 but the Painters responded with baskets from Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, and Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti for their largest lead of 103-88.
Nocum finished with 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds to be named Player of the Game as the Painters notched their second consecutive victory for a 2-1 win-loss slate./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 103 – Oftana 42, Hollis-Jefferson 41, Pogoy 6, Erram 6, Heruela 4, Nambatac 4, Razon 0, Galinato 0, Khobuntin 0, Varilla 0, Aurin 0.
MAGNOLIA 100 – Ratliff 27, Barroca 18, Abueva 18, Lastimosa 18, Sangalang 9, Eriobu 5, Dionisio 3, Mendoza 2, Dela Rosa 0, Ahanmisi 0, Balanza 0.
Quarterscores: 33-25, 52-48, 83-69, 103-100.
