CHRIS McCullough scored 42 points to help TNT move one win away from a return trip to the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals by beating Meralco, 103-95, in Game 5 on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
McCullough took over in the fourth quarter when the TNT made the decisive breakaway from an 83-83 deadlock, hitting big shots in only his second game with the Tropang 5G since replacing Bol Bol.
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TNT can clinch a place in the PBA Finals for the fifth successive conference with another win in Game 6 on Sunday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
McCullough scored 17 points in the fourth quarter alone,making back-to-back threes that put TNT up, 94-85. Jordan Heading added 22 points including a three for a 101-93 lead with 2:08 left.
TNT also cleaned up its act after a Game 4 defeat where the Tropang 5G committed 15 turnovers that led to easy baskets for Meralco.
The Tropang 5G only had 11 this time.
“Our defensive game plan was to get good shots because the last game, we had so many turnovers and we gave up 26 points off turnovers, so you can’t defend a turnover. That’s very hard,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
“To help our defense, we had to make sure that we get good shots. That means we are taking shots. We are not throwing or turning the ball over,” said Reyes.
Patrick Gardner had 25 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks but was saddled with foul trouble, forcing Meralco to sit him out for an extended period in the final quarter when TNT made the decisive run.
The scores:
TNT 103 – McCullough 42, Heading 22, Pogoy 16, Oftana 12, Castro 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Aurin 2, Nambatac 0, Williams 0, Ferrer 0, Galinato 0, Khobuntin 0.
Meralco 95 – Gardner 25, Hodge 12, Banchero 12, Black 11, Newsome 10, Mocon 10, Cansino 4, Quinto 4, Rios 3, Brickman 2, Bates 2, Almazan 0.
Quarters: 22-19; 41-42; 76-72; 103-95.
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