JORDAN Heading and Rey Nambatac combined in a late comeback that enabled TNT to steal Game Five from Meralco, 99-96, on Wednesday night and reach the PBA Finals for the fourth successive conference.
With TNT down 96-91 and only 27.7 seconds left, Nambatac nailed a four-point shot that was followed by a steal and a lay-up by Heading off CJ Cansino that allowed the Tropang 5G to reclaim the lead at 97-96.
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Two more free throws by Nambatac and two misses on the other end by Cansino completed the thrilling comeback that sealed the TNT's trip to the Philippine Cup title series via 4-1 win in the best-of-seven semifinal playoff.
Heading finished with 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field while coming up with three steals including the crucial one that led to his game-winning lay-up.
Nambatac added 25 points on a 6-of-11 clip from the field including the four that kept TNT in the game, ruining a career game by Cansino who scored 36 points but had two misses and a turnover in Meralco's final three possessions.
“I want to give credit to the other team. Meralco is a hell of a team. They refused to quit. They kept coming back. They kept bouncing back,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
“We were just fortunate we caught a couple of breaks, Chris Newsome’s injury and then later on Rios’ injury. It took our best to come out victorious,” said Reyes.
TNT raced to a 19-4 lead, only for Meralco to fight back and gain a 50-46 halftime advantage. The Tropang 5G looked doomed after Cansino went off for 15 points in a 20-5 run that turned an 86-76 deficit into a 95-91 Bolts lead.
TNT made a return trip to the Philippine Cup finals after losing to San Miguel during the 49th Season last July.
The scores:
TNT 99 – Heading 31, Nambatac 25, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Oftana 10, Erram 6, Enciso 5, Galinato 4, Jalalon 4, Williams 2, Ferrer 0, Khobuntin 0, Aurin 0.
Meralco 96 – Cansino 36, Black 17, Rios 9, Banchero 8, Quinto 7, Hodge 6, Jose 6, Bates 4, Comia 3, Caram 0, Reyson 0, Almazan 0.
Quarters: 30-22; 46-50; 75-72; 99-96.
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