Defending champion Anyang KGC went to Robert Carter, Jr. early and then relied on Seongwon Choi late as it fended off TNT’s furious fightback and eked out an 88-76 victory on Wednesday, Jan. 24, to book a ticket to the Final Four bus in the East Asia Super League at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Carter powered his way to 22 points and 14 rebounds, most of which came in the first half when the Red Boosters mounted a massive 45-21 lead midway in the second quarter while Seongwon sizzled for 23 points including a booming trey in a late 7-0 blast that doused cold water to Tropang Giga’s late surge.

The victory, its third in five outings, catapulted Anyang KGC straight to the playoff round.

The Korean club, however, has still one game remaining on its plate as it clashes with the Taipei Fubon Braves on Feb. 7.

And the Red Boosters did it minus athletic Filipino star Rhenz Abando, who remained out due to injury.

Jamil Wilson and Jihoon Park both chipped in 15 points apiece for the KBL reigning champion and helping fill that gaping void left by Abando.

In contrast, TNT, despite Rondae Hollis Jefferson’s magnificent 33-point, seven-rebound and seven-assist effort, succumbed to a five defeat against a lone win and stumbled out of playoff contention.

Powered by Hollis Jefferson and back-to-back booming triples by Glenn Khobuntin and Ryan Reyes, TNT though did not go down without a fight as it unloaded a 12-2 blitz that sliced that once insurmountable 24-point deficit to just a single-digit disadvantage, 78-73, with four minutes remaining in the clock.

It turned out the MVP-owned franchise’s last hurrah as Choi delivered the coup the grace with that thunderous three that fueled that dagger 7-0 run.