TNT is on huge roll in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, not even Barangay Ginebra could stop it on its path.
The Tropang Giga pulled off a 91-86 win over the Kings to stay on top of the standings with a 6-2 record. Calvin Oftana had a game-high 32 points to show the way for the Tropang Giga, who won their sixth straight win.
The Kings suffered their fourth loss in 10 outings and dropped to the seventh spot.
READ: TNT withstands late Ginebra comeback for sixth straight win
Meanwhile, guest team Eastern booked a ticket to the quarterfinals by drubbing Terrafirma, 134-110.
The Hong Kong-based ballclub improved to a 7-3 record for a three-way logjam at second place with Converge and Northport, while keeping the lowly Dyip winless in 11 outings.
We take a quick glance on the takeaways in Friday night’s doubleheader at the Philsports Arena.
1.SMC TEAMS NOW OCCUPY BOTTOM HALF OF STANDINGS
Rare is the case when all three SMC teams are at the bottom of the standings, but that has been the situation following Ginebra’s loss to TNT.
The 6-4 Kings are at no. 7, followed by defending champion San Miguel at eighth spot with an even 4-4 slate, while at ninth is Magnolia at 4-6.
PBA fans are used to seeing all three teams usually on top or at the middle pack of the standings and not the way where they are right now.
How any of the three teams be able to turn things around this conference is certainly something to look forward.
2.TNT CONTINUES TO HAVE GINEBRA’S NUMBER
The Tropang Giga beat the Kings for the third straight time, counting their last two wins in the Governors’ Cup Finals where they beat the crowd favorite in six games.
Jamie Malonzo was back for Ginebra after missing the season opening conference, but failed to help the team stop the TNT juggernaut. It’s interesting to see the two meeting in the playoffs or even the Finals, where the Tropang Giga and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are 2-0 against Justine Brownlee and the Kings.
3.A TNT-MIKEY WILLIAMS REUNION IN THE MAKING?
Both parties have yet to open the communication line, but Williams’ surprise appearance in the TNT-Ginebra game was a strong sign he’s still interested to play in the PBA again – whether going back to TNT or any other teams for that matter.
Will the TNT management finally relent on trading away the rights of the 33-year-old streak shooting guard? Such was the case of Jordan Heading, who also showed up in Game 1 of the TNT-Ginebra Governors’ Cup finals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Two weeks after, the Fil-Australian rookie was dealt by Terrafirma to Converge in a trade that also involved Aljun Melecio, Keith Zaldivar, and the FiberXers’ first round pick in Season 51.
4.EASTERN ON TRACK OF A TWICE-TO-BEAT EDGE IN PLAYOFFS
Don’t look now, but as the elimination round of the mid-season conference enters its homestretch, it’s becoming certain the guest team from Hong Kong has a good shot at taking one of two top spots that has a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Eastern is tied at second spot with Converge and Northport, and just within striking distance of the league-leading Tropang Giga.
Of the top three teams with them in the standings, only Northport has beaten Eastern, giving the visitors a fair chance of clinching the playoff incentive should there be a logjam at the nos. 1 and 2 berths.
Eastern’s last two games will be against Magnolia and NLEX.
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