TNT sealed the second semis berth in the PBA Governors' Cup, while Magnolia lived for another day in its own quarterfinals series.
The Tropang Giga whipped NLEX, 125-96, to wrap up their best-of-five series, 4-1, Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: TNT seals place in PBA semifinals after Game 4 romp over NLEX
They join early semifinalist Barangay Ginebra in the next round.
The Hotshots, meantime, forced a do-or-die duel with Rain or Shine after winning Game 4 via another blowout, 129-100.
READ: Magnolia forces KO match with RoS after blowout win in Game 4
Their knockout match is set Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo
Here are the takeaways from the pair of Game Fours:
SEMIS CONTINUES TO ELUDE ROBERT BOLICK
The early ouster of NLEX means last year’s scoring champion would fall short again in his bid to make the semis for the first time. His scoring exploits notwithstanding, the explosive guard out of San Beda hasn’t been to the semis in his entire PBA career.
His former team NorthPort did reach the Final Four of the 2019 Governors' Cup during Bolick’s rookie season. Unfortunately, he didn’t play in the series against Ginebra, as he was grounded back then by an ACL injury.
WELCOME BACK TO THE SEMIS, COACH CHOT
In contrast, the multi-titled mentor is back in the semis for the first time since the 2022 Philippine Cup when he steered the Tropang Giga to the Finals, but lost in Game 7 against San Miguel.
Reyes later passed on the coaching job to now-team manager Jojo Lastimosa, as he concentrated on the preparation of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup. But he took over TNT once again in last season’s Philippine Cup where they made it to the quarterfinals only to be ambushed by Rain or Shine in the best-of-three series that went the full route.
MAGNOLIA COOL, CALM, AND COLLECTED TO FORGE DO-OR-DIE GAME
Coach Chito Victolero admitted the Hotshots lost their poise and were overcame with emotions in a 111-106 overtime loss in Game 3. Come next game, however, Magnolia played Hotshots basketball – composed, but not over confident.
Import Jabari Bird and Paul Lee combined for 55 points, while Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paul Lee remained on fire from the four-point arc, combining for 5-of-7 makes from deep to lead the 29-point blowout that paved the way for the winner-take-all encounter.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
