PBA: TNT annihilates Phoenix to complete QF cast

TNT unleashed an enormous second half turnaround to stun Phoenix Super LPG, 116-96, and guide an outright quarterfinal ticket within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday on the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Tropang Giga prevented having to undergo a playoff for no. 8 towards sister workforce NLEX (4-7) because it locked the final playoff seat with a 5-6 win-loss slate and can tackle prime seed Magnolia within the subsequent spherical on Wednesday at 8 p.m. 

Phoenix, in the meantime, is already assured of a twice-to-beat bonus and can face Meralco within the quarterfinals spherical on the identical day at 4 p.m.

The Tropang Giga had been again of their outdated and lethal type because of the eruption of Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, Kim Aurin, and Brian Heruela in addition to the well timed return of RR Pogoy, who missed out on motion for the previous 5 months on account of myocarditis. 

It was their collective effort, particularly within the second half, that led to the lopsided win with Oftana and Heruala firing two triples every within the penultimate body to present the Jojo Lastimosa-helmed squad an 88-78 lead. 

Heruela then ignited for an additional pair of three-pointers in a span of simply 12 seconds earlier than Hollis-Jefferson accomplished an alley-oop dunk off a dish from rooke Aurin to make it a cushty 100-83 cushion with nonetheless 9 minutes to go within the fourth. 

Even with plenty of time on the clock, the Fuel Masters didn’t capitalize as TNT did not let it slip this time round as Hollis-Jefferson scored six of their closing 11 factors to seal the win. 

Hollis-Jefferson as soon as once more starred with 35 factors, 21 of which he dropped within the first half, to go together with 11 assists, 9 rebounds, three steals, and a block as TNT eradicated NLEX within the course of. 

Oftana shone with 19 whereas Aurin and Heruela chipped in 18 and 14 markers apiece. Pogoy performed restricted minutes however was capable of put collectively 11 markers off the bench. 

Aside from Wednesday’s video games, twice-to-beat groups San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will tackle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and NorthPort Batang Pier, respectively, on Friday.

Scores:

TNT 116 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Oftana 19, Aurin 18, Heruela 14, Pogoy 11, Galinato 6, Ok. Williams 4, castro 3, Tungcab 3, Montalbo 3, Cruz 0, Tolomia 0, Khobuntin 0, Ponferrada 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Phoenix 96 – J.Williams 21, Alejandro 12, Tio 10, Manganti 10, Perkins 9, Rivero 7, Soyud 6, Jazul 5, Daves 4, Mocon 4, Tuffin 4, Verano 3, Muyang 1, Camacho 0, Lalata 0, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 23-27, 51-53, 88-78, 116-96.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News