CALVIN Oftana hit the game-winning basket at the buzzer as TNT survived San Miguel, 105-103, in a thrilling PBA Governors' Cup game Sunday.
The sophomore forward grabbed the offensive rebound off a missed basket by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and sank the putback at the buzzer as pandemonium broke out at the Philsports Arena.
The Tropang Giga wrested the solo lead with an 8-1 slate despite missing top gun Roger Pogoy (injured foot) and losing Mikey Williams in the second half after he hurt his ankle off a landing spot foul committed by Marcio Lassiter.
"Calvin was just in the right place at the right time," said coach Jojo Lastimosa afterwards of the sophomore forward, who finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
"He's been a great rebounder for us. One of those rebounds he got there to finish, that's just it. Calvin just being around the basket."
The Tropang Giga got 21 points from Jayson Castro, including a three-pointer with 63 seconds to play that gave them a 103-100 lead.
READ: Oftana thought Fajardo was there to contest crucial rebound
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 19 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in another all-around showing, though he shot just 7-of-27 from the field. His last miss led to Oftana's offensive rebound and game winner.
The Beermen tied the game for the last time at 103-all as import Cameron Clark completed a three-point play with 13 seconds left in the game similar to a boxing match pitting two top heavyweights.
TNT sued for time for a shot at a game-winning play.
"These guys are built for this. I know there's going to be a playoff implication or a playoff atmosphere here being San Miguel and us having 7-1 records," said Lastimosa.
"I did expect much from this game from our guys, I just told them to embrace the grind, and embrace the struggle. That's it. and they responded well tonight."
CJ Perez finished with 25 points for San Miguel, while six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo had a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds, but was taken off the floor in TNT's final offensive play.
The scores:
TNT (105) -- Castro 21, Hollis-Jefferson 19, K.Williams 16, Oftana 14, M.Williams 11, Chua 8, Khobuntin 8, Varilla 4, Montalbo 4.
San Miguel (103) -- Clark 30, Perez 25, Fajardo 12, Cruz 10, Manuel 8, Tautuaa 6, Enciso 5, Lassiter 4, Bulanadi 3, Brondial 0, Ross 0,
Quarterscores: 24-20; 49-48; 83-77; 105-103.
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