TNT overhauled an 12-point deficit to beat NLEX, 104-101, on Saturday in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
The Tropang Giga captured an important win to improve to 4-3 (win-loss) . A triple by RR Pogoy made it a 103-101 game and TNT held on to snap NLEX's four-game winning streak, dropping its sister team to 5-2.
Calvin Oftana finished with a career-high 37 points, 12 rebounds and six assists while Pogoy added 21 points for TNT, which outscored NLEX, 28-14, in the final quarter.
TNT was still trailing, 87-76, at the end of the third quarter before Oftana exploded for 15 points in the fnal canto to steer his team to the comeback victory.
Robert Bolick missed the potential game-tying three in the game's final possession.
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The huge win moved TNT to a share of fourth place with Barangay Ginebra following its second straight victory.
The Tropang Giga win spoiled big performances by Robbie Herndon, who tied his career-high of 25 points, and Bolick, who had 23 points for the Road Warriors.
Oftana clustered seven straight points to rally TNT and cut the deficit to 90-87. Jayson Castro exchanged baskets with Bolick to keep TNT in the game, 101-100, before the clutch Pogoy trey.
Castro had 16 points while Glenn Khobuntin chipped in 11 points for the Tropang Giga.
The scores:
TNT 104 - Oftana 37, Pogoy 21, Castro 16, Khobuntin 11, Galinato 7, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Williams 4, Montalbo 3, Reyes 0, Ponferada 0, Heruela 0, Aurin 0.
NLEX 101 - Herndon 25, Bolick 23, Miranda 17, Fajardo 14, Valdez 6, Semerad 6, Nieto 4, Marcelo 3, Amer 2, Nermal 1, Rodger 0, Anthony 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 29-27; 49-57; 76-87; 104-101.
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