TNT caught the last quarterfinal bus in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup after routing Phoenix Super LPG, 116-96, on Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
The Tropang Giga went on a rampage in the second half led by Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson as they clinched the eighth and final quarterfinal spot with a 5-6 win-loss record at the end of the eliminations.
TNT will take on top-seed Magnolia, needing to win twice in order to advance.
The other quarterfinal pairings have also been arranged with No. 2 San Miguel facing No. 7 Rain or Shine. Third-ranked Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, will battle sixth-seed NorthPort, while fourth-ranked Phoenix will take on fifth-place Meralco.
Hollis-Jefferson had 12 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, while also dishing out 11 assists in the contest. The TNT import was key in helping the team outscore Phoenix, 65-43, in the second half.
Calvin Oftana also delivered in the second half, scoring 12 of his 19 points in the third quarter, while Kim Aurin and Brian Heruela had 18 and 14 apiece.
“There are a lot of heroes tonight,” said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa.
TNT also celebrated the return of Roger Pogoy, who had 11 points in his first game since the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Johnathan Williams had 21 points and 14 rebounds in the Phoenix defeat.
The scores:
TNT 116 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Oftana 19, Aurin 18, Heruela 14, Pogoy 11, Galinato 6, Williams 4, Tungcab 3, Montalbo 3, Castro 3, Cruz 0, Tolomia 0, Reyes 0, Khobuntin 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Ponferada 0.
Phoenix Super LPG 96 – Williams 21, Alejandro 12, Manganti 10, Tio 10, Perkins 9, Rivero 7, Soyud 6, Jazul 5, Mocon 4, Daves 4, Tuffin 4, Verano 3, Muyang 1, Lalata 0, Garcia 0, Camacho 0.
Quarters: 23-27; 51-53; 88-78; 116-95.
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