TNT seizes solo 2nd, boosts bid for win-once edge in QF: 'We gave ourselves a shot'

Just four days ago, TNT skidded down the standings from first to fifth spot after suffering from a shock loss to then winless and already exiting Terrafirma.

 The Tropang Giga responded with back-to-back wins after that, the latest against defending champion San Miguel, 115-97, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Sunday night, Jan. 26.

 That allowed TNT to climb to the solo second spot at 8-3, with a chance of grabbing one of the win-once playoff incentives for the top two teams at the end of the elims still in their hands.

 "The important thing is we put ourselves in that position. What I learned in this life is you'll never really know what is going to happen. The best you can do is to give yourself a shot," said Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes, whose wards will close the elimination round with a faceoff against Rain or Shine on Friday, Jan. 31.

 "And I think that's the significance of this win: we gave ourselves a shot."

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While TNT is enjoying its position, the Beermen are in peril of missing the playoffs after sliding to 10th with their 5-7 record in their final elims assignment.

 Tropang Giga reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was largely responsible for that as he produced a monster triple-double game of 35 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists to overwhelm SMB.

 Roger Pogoy backed him up with 22 points, Calvin Oftana contributed 16 markers anchored on four treys while Jayson Castro and Poy Erram each added 14 points.

TNT's Calvin Oftana reacts during the Tropang Giga's match against the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Sunday, Jan. 26. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

 San Miguel behemoth June Mar Fajardo scored 34, half of which he shot from the free throw line.  He also had 13 rebounds in a double-double night.

 But he hardly got help from the rest as Don Trollano was the second-best scorer with his 13 points while import Malik Pope was limited to 10 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes on the floor.

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TNT raced to a 31-19 advantage in the first quarter to set the tone for the match which it controlled most of the way.

While SMB outscored the Tropang Giga in the second period, 30-25, to draw near 49-56 at the half, it hardly put a dent on TNT's goal as it restored order in the third and went on to build a lead of as many as 20 points heading to the finish line.

 "We were able to execute the game plan. I think that's very, very important moving forward regardless of what the results are going to be in the future. I think that's the main significance of this game for us," said Reyes.

 While Reyes knows there are no assurances moving forward, what is important is the chance the Tropang Giga gave themselves now.

 "There's no guarantee. We can play very strong teams. Still in the quarterfinals, there's no guarantee. But at least, like I said earlier, we gave ourselves a shot," said Reyes.