TNT rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to beat Meralco, 100-95, on Sunday in the opener of their PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Calvin Oftana was the central figure in the Tropang 5G's comeback from a 52-31 deficit late in the second quarter. He finished with 28 points to give TNT the early lead in the seven-game series.
TNT looks to make it a 2-0 lead on Wednesday, also at the Big Dome.
READ Ginebra's in-form guard Jayson David intends to play in Game One
TNT came alive in the third quarter, outscoring Meralco, 28-13, thanks to its defensive effort.
“We just challenged the players to defend one-on-one. I thought in the first half, we were relying too much on our help defense and Meralco did a great job picking it apart. Credit to them. They came up with a great game plan,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
“At halftime, I told the players, whatever defensive scheme we came up with, [if] your man is getting to the basket, then no defensive game plan is going to work,” said Reyes.
Oftana took over late in the game, completing a three-point play and scoring on a left-handed lay-up with 2:57 left in the contest to break a 91-91 deadlock.
Oftana, who turned 30 last Saturday, got TNT some separation with two free throws with 21.1 seconds left. Jansen Rios missed a three-point shot on the next possession, and TNT padded the lead on two more free throws by Oftana.
Rey Nambatac had 17 points while RR Pogoy added 16 points, including 11 in the third quarter when a 12-0 blast turned a 70-62 deficit into a 74-70 lead.
Chris Banchero led Meralco with 16 points while CJ Cansino added 14 points, although he was limited to only one point the entire second half.
The scores:
TNT 100 – Oftana 28, Nambatac 17, Pogoy 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Heading 9, Williams 8, Khobuntin 6, Galinato 2, Enciso 0, Jalalon 0, Erram 0.
Meralco 95 – Banchero 16, Cansino 14, Newsome 13, Almazan 13, Hodge 8, Black 6, Reyson 6, Rios 6, Quinto 5, Bates 4, Jose 4.
Quarters: 26-38; 46-62; 74-75; 100-95.
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