TNT closed in on a semifinals berth after battering Rain or Shine in the fourth period of their playoff clash in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
When the going got tough early on in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine leaned on Beau Belga.
Belga did not disappoint.
The grizzled bruiser played a key role in the Elasto Painters' resurgence which saw them win six of their last seven games after a 0-4 start to the elimination round.
Rain or Shine consequently clinched a quarterfinal berth with their 6-5 record that was good for fifth spot.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Beau Belga, Rain or Shine derail NLEX, clinch quarterfinal spot]
TNT coach Chot Reyes acknowledged Belga’s stellar showing in that stretch, with the veteran big man even posting his first triple-double outing – also a first for any local player in franchise history – in a lopsided victory over Converge halfway in the Elasto Painters' campaign.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Beau Belga posts first career triple-double as Rain or Shine blasts Converge]
Thus, the Tropang Giga devised a plan to contain Big Beau in their best-of-three quarterfinal series opener against Rain or Shine on Friday, May 10.
They did just that, and TNT hammered out a 116-99 win to move on the verge of a semifinals berth in the All-Filipino conference.
“The key, we felt, was to control Beau because Beau is really the heart and soul of this team,” Reyes said.
[ALSO READ: PBA Player of the Game Highlights: Beau Belga churns out another big game for red-hot Rain or Shine vs. NorthPort]
Belga struggled mightily, going 2-of-10 from the field, including 1-for-5 from the three-point area to finish with five points.
He also tallied two rebounds and three assists but committed four turnovers in over 25 minutes of play.
“I thought if we could defend him, then that would increase our chances of winning. I think we’re able to achieve that,” the veteran mentor said.
TNT looks to do the same when the two teams meet again on Sunday, May 12, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.