TNT bucked a slow start and recovered from a huge 18-point deficit to frustrate Rain or Shine, 105-100, in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Friday, Jan. 27.
Mikey Williams, RR Pogoy and import Jalen Hudson all rediscovered their touches in the second half particularly in the third frame where the Tropang Giga exploded for 44 quarter points before fully taking the fight out of the Elasto Painters in the final period to cruise to their second win in as many games.
Hudson, after being limited to just five points in the first two quarters, found a way around the Elasto Painters’ pesky defense and exploded for 19 points in the second half to finish with 24 points on top of his 14 rebounds.
He conspired with Pogoy and Williams who likewise went into a good scoring rhythm in the last two quarters with the former also dropping 14 points in the third quarter to finish with 22 points while the latter added 24 points – 16 of which came in the second half.
Playing their second game in a three-day span, the Tropang Giga seemed to be a step slower against the Elasto Painters who, in contrast, came out with boundless energy spearheaded by import Michael Qualls.
Rain or Shine established its biggest lead at 18, 47-29, late in the second frame after a Gabe Norwood triple. TNT though still ended the half strong, cutting the lead down to just 13 at the break, 49-36, after a 7-2 finishing kick.
That short momentum carried over for TNT in the third frame where it cut the lead down to just four heading into the payoff period. The Tropang Giga then unleashed a 13-3 spurt triggered by back-to-back layups from Hudson and Jaydee Tungcab to take a 100-95 lead.
Refusing to give up though Qualls scored five quick points but Williams buried the dagger triple with 26 seconds left.
Qualls bounced back from a lackluster performance in his first game in ROS uniform, this time dropping 35 points, 17 rebounds and five assists while Rey Nambatac added 17 points.