TNT overhauled a 22-point deficit to frustrate NLEX, 113-97, on Wednesday and snap out of a worrying losing streak in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Philsports Arena.
The Tropang Giga roared back from a 66-44 deficit by scoring 41 points in the third period alone - a rampage so decisive they seized the lead, 80-78, by the end of the quarter.
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TNT never looked back from there as it snapped a two-game losing skid to even its record to 3-3 while spoiling the NLEX debut of Robert Bolick and the retirement of Asi Taulava.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson finished with 33 points, while Calvin Oftana added 29 points including 19 in that third-quarter blitzkrieg by the Tropang Giga.
Jewel Ponferada was also a big revelation, scoring 10 of his 12 points in that key third-quarter run.
NLEX dropped to 2-6 after losing its fourth successive game.
TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa applauded the effort of his team that he felt was absent in the past games.
“You can’t coach effort, it is something that has to come to the players,” said Lastimosa.
Robbie Herndon led NLEX with 25 points while Stokley Chaffee had 15 points and 17 rebounds but remained winless since coming in as a replacement for Thomas Robinson.
Bolick finished with nine points in his first game since he was acquired by NLEX in a trade with NorthPort. He, however, shot just 2-of-8 from the field, and added four assists.
Taulava started in the game for NLEX to officially play his 24th and final season in the PBA, surpassing Robert Jaworski as the longest tenured player in the league. He played for one minute and 56 seconds and grabbed a rebound.
Taulava’s jersey No. 88 was later retired during a ceremony at halftime.
The result of the game also enabled Phoenix to clinch the second quarterfinal berth.
The scores:
TNT 113 – Hollis-Jefferson 33, Oftana 29, Ponferada 12, Aurin 11, Montalbo 7, Williams 7, Khobuntin 5, Cruz 3, Tolomia 2, Reyes 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Tungcab 0, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.
NLEX 97 – Herndon 25, Chaffee 15, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Valdez 14, Bolick 9, Nermal 8, Anthony 8, Nieto 2, Marcelo 2, Taulava 0, Rodger 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 17-26; 39-86; 80-78; 113-97.
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