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TNT climbs back from huge deficit, gains semis head start over Meralco

Sports | Basketball

TNT climbs back from huge deficit, gains semis head start over Meralco

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

TNT exploded in the third quarter and then proved to be the steadier team in the endgame to gain the head start over Meralco, 100-95, in Game 1 of their semifinals series in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 4.

TNT exploded in the third quarter and then proved to be the steadier team in the endgame to gain the head start over Meralco, 100-95, in Game 1 of their semifinals series in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 4.

The Tropang 5G unloaded a blistering 28-8 third quarter rally and erased a 21-point deficit before Calvin Oftana scored seven of his team’s last nine points to put the game away and take a 1-0 series lead.

RR Pogoy spearheaded the pivotal third quarter rally, firing 11 of his 16 points as TNT enjoyed a 74-70 lead late in that frame after trailing 52-31 in the first half.

Oftana led the way with 28 points to go with his seven rebounds while Rey Nambatac finished with 17. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser was also crucial for TNT following a double-double showing of 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Game 2 of the series is on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the same venue.

Chris Banchero paced Meralco with 16 points — including nine in the final frame but still not enough to keep the Bolts’ heads above the water.

Meralco, despite squandering the huge advantage, actually engaged the TNT to a nip-and-tuck affair for most of the fourth quarter.

Oftana, however, scored a crucial and-1 play and then found a cutting Ganuelas-Rosser for another layup to give TNT the much needed cushion, 96-91, with 2:33 left.

CJ Cansino, after firing 13 in the first quarter, cooled down and settled for 14 points while Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan added 13 apiece in a losing effort.

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