ANTIPOLO – TNT came away with a huge bounce-back win over Phoenix, 106-70, on Friday in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.
The Tropang Giga led by as many as 40 points as they took no chances days after their 117-108 defeat to lowly Terrafirma, where they trailed by as many as 31.
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The 36-point win was the biggest margin of victory by any team this conference.
By returning to its winning ways, TNT regained a share of third spot with Eastern and Meralco and got back in the hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Phoenix wrapped up its campaign in the mid-season conference on a four-game losing streak and exited with a 3-9 win-loss slate.
TNT coach Chot Reyes said he reminded his team not to once again fall into the trap of playing complacently against a team already out of contention for the playoffs.
“We talked about this before the last game (against Terrafirma). It’s really hard to play teams that have nothing to lose. And you saw how Terrafirma played in the last game. They were playing freely, they were hitting all the shots. And I take full responsibility because I failed to prepare the players enough for a situation like that,” Reyes said.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Roger Pogoy had 12 points and six rebounds for the Tropang Giga.
Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana had 11 points apiece as the second stringers also got a lot of playing time with Henry Galinato contributing eight points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
Tyler Tio had 14 points, while Donovan Smith had a conference-low 11 points for the Fuelmasters.
The scores:
TNT 106 – Hollis-Jefferson 15, Pogoy 12, Aurin 11, Oftana 11, Galinato 8, Nambatac 8, Williams 8, Heruela 6, Castro 6, Razon 6, Ebona 4, Khobuntin 4, Exciminiano 3, Payawal 2, Erram 2, Varilla 0.
Phoenix 70 – Tio 14, Ballungay 11, Smith 11, Manganti 7, Tuffin 6, Jazul 5, Perkins 5, Daves 4, Garcia 4, Muyang 2, Alejandro 1, Salado 0, Camacho 0, Ular 0, Verano 0, Rivero 0.
Quarters: 24-21; 49-35; 78-50; 106-70.
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