TNT used a strong fourth quarter showing to win their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals opener against Rain or Shine.
Calvin Oftana shone the brightest as TNT got the better of Rain or Shine, 116-99, in the opener of their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Friday, May 10.
Oftana dropped 32 points and collared nine rebounds as the Tropang Giga turned it up in the fourth period for a strong start to their best-of-three tussle.
After a sloppy first 24 minutes of action where he scored only nine points, there was no stopping Oftana as he scattered 16 points in the third quarter.
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In the end, Oftana deferred credit to the rest of the Tropang Giga and to his coaches.
“Credit to my teammates and coaches. Siyempre, hinahanap nila ako. Scoring-wise, hindi ko naman iniisip 'yun. Kung ano lang ang ibinibigay sa'kin,” he said.
RR Pogoy produced 26 points while veteran Kelly Williams sustained his fine play with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
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Jayson Castro added 11 points and five assists for TNT, which outscored the Elasto Painters, 31-20, in the payoff period.
The Tropang Giga went on a 23-8 tear in the frame to build an insurmountable 108-87 advantage halfway.
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Rain or Shine did put up some resistance, countering with seven unanswered points to trim the gap to 14, 94-108, on Santi Santillan’s booming trey.
But TNT stood unfazed as it turned to Castro to restore order.
Santillan paced the Elasto Painters with 23 points.
The Scores:
TNT 116 – Oftana 32, Pogoy 26, K.Williams 19, Castro 11, Khobuntin 8, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Aurin 4, Montalbo 3, Ponferrada 3, Heruela 2, Varilla 0, Galinato 0
RAIN OR SHINE 99 – Santillan 23, Borboran 13, Datu 11, Caracut 11, Clarito 10, Ildefonso 8, Nocum 7, Demusis 6, Belga 5, Mamuyac 4, Asistio 1, Norwood 0
Quarterscores: 26-24, 53-52, 85-79, 116-99