TNT cruised to a 108-82 win over Blackwater to stretch its winning streak to six games and inch closer to a twice-to-beat spot in the playoffs of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang 5G primed up for their grudge match with Barangay Ginebra this Sunday, putting the Bossing away as early as the second quarter even after the ballclub decided not to field Jordan Heading - their prized acquisition from a trade with Converge.
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With the victory, TNT caught Ginebra and Rain or Shine at fourth place in the team standings with a 6-3 win-loss record, making for a very tight race for the four twice-to-beat berths in the quarterfinals.
All three teams will see action this weekend: Rain or Shine faces San Miguel on Saturday in Cagayan de Oro.
Another new boy, Mike Nieto, joined TNT's second- and third-stringers in wrapping up the 26-point shellacking that condemned the woeful Bossing to their sixth straight loss - and eighth in nine games overall.
Simon Enciso scored 11 of his 19 points in that key second-quarter stretch for the Tropang 5G, who matched the longest winning streak of the conference achieved by Magnolia and NLEX. He also made 5 of his 7 threes in the game.
“I think we played tremendous defense in this run as was reflected in our past few games,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
“We also have in our team what we also call our hustle stats where we track the numbers that don’t show up in the box scores. We make sure that we are constantly improving our numbers there. And I think it’s being manifested in the way we defend.”
Kelly Williams had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Calvin Oftana added 14 points for the Tropang 5G, who opened a 54-40 halftime lead following that second-quarter run. TNT led by as many as 29 points, 94-65.
TNT also had the luxury to stretch their rotation ahead of the Gin Kings contest. Nieto made his TNT debut on Friday and had four points and six rebounds in 12 minutes and 36 seconds of action.
Christian David and Sedrick Barefield were limited to only 13 points apiece for Blackwater.
The scores:
TNT 108 – Enciso 19, Williams 15, Oftana 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Erram 11, Aurin 10, Pogoy 9, Khobuntin 6, Vosotros 6, Nieto 4, Ebona 2, Heruela 0, Varilla 0.
Blackwater 82 – David 13, Barefield 13, Mallillin 9, Ayonayon 9, Ilagan 8, Tratter 6, Chua 6, Caperal 5, Andrade 3, Mitchell 2, Guinto 2, Escoto 2, Jopia 2, Corteza 2, Casio 0.
Quarters: 24-22; 54-40; 87-61; 108-82.
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