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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Vets deliver as TNT repeats over Meralco for virtual spot in playoffs

Vets deliver as TNT repeats over Meralco for virtual spot in playoffs

Published Sep 12, 2024 12:11 pm

At A Glance

  • Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro took charge and put on the finishing touches as TNT completed a repeat over Meralco, 108-99, to virtually assure themselves a spot in the quarterfinals of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 12.

When the going gets tough, it’s always the big guns who deliver for the Tropa.

Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro took charge and put on the finishing touches as TNT completed a repeat over Meralco, 108-99, to virtually assure themselves a spot in the quarterfinals of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 12.

PBA Images10 (59).jpg

Oftana capped a game-long brilliance with a crucial layup down the stretch while Castro and Williams also had timely hits to shake off the hard-fighting Bolts and improve to a 6-1 record and wrest the top spot of Group A.

Getting six wins is considered the magic number for the teams to at least punch a ticket to the playoffs and the Tropang Giga got it by sweeping their elimination matchup with the Bolts who they defeated 93-73 in the first round.

Oftana had his best game since recovering from injury with 25 points built on six triples and seven rebounds while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added an all-around effort of 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. 

Kim Aurin also had a strong start to the game to finish with 16 points while Poy Erram and Castro added 12 and 11 respectively. 

Williams had nine points and six rebounds in his first game of the season – but nothing was more crucial than his layup that sparked a 6-0 spurt where TNT created the separation in the last two minutes.

Up only by three and in the face of a furious Bolts rally, Williams scored on a layup to restore order for the Tropang Giga before Castro and Oftana followed suit with their own layups during that stretch.

Allen Durham, bounced back from an eight-point showing in their last meeting with game-high 26 points to go with 11 rebounds but were not enough to keep Meralco atop the standings after sliding to a 5-2 slate.

Chris Newsome had 23 points while Bong Quinto and CJ Cansino added 12 apiece in a losing effort.

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