MONTALBAN – TNT went to its gunners in a third-quarter breakaway to beat Phoenix, 93-78, and make it to the win column right away in the PBA Philippine Cup Season 50 on Friday night.
New acquisition Kevin Ferrer was a perfect 2-of-2 from rainbow country, while the returning Rey Nambatac and Simon Enciso also found their touch from the same spot during that crucial stretch when the Tropang 5G finally pulled away from the Fuel Masters after a tight first half.
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Nambatac, coming off a groin injury that made him miss the playoffs of this same conference last season, led the way for TNT with 22 points, Calvin Oftana chipped in 15, while Enciso and Ferrer had 12 each.
Playing his first game since May 11 in a 101-84 win over Meralco, Nambatac scored 13 points in the second half.
Enciso was 4-of-7 from three-point range and Ferrer, acquired as an unrestricted free agent, was 4-of-5.
In all, the Tropang 5G shot a sizzling 15-of-35 from downtown for a high 42 percent.
TNT joins Magnolia, Titan Ultra, NLEX, and Blackwater in winning their respective first game.
“Kevin is a tough defender. Hindi mo rin siya puwedeng iwan sa labas kasi makapal din yung mukha nun, tira din ng tira yun, e. And that’s important in our scheme of things,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes of Ferrer.
Another new acquisition in Jio Jalalon also did well for TNT, though the spunky guard still remains unfamiliar with the Tropang 5G’s system as he went 2-of-10 from the floor with four points, but had seven rebounds and two assists.
“Si Jio naman yun ang wala kami, yung manggugulo sa bola, somebody who will put the pressure on both sides of the ball,” added Reyes.
Despite the win, the TNT coach is tempering expectations for the team, which nearly pulled off a grand slam in Season 49.
“We’ll just approach every game, every possession and play the way we know how to. Yun lang ang gusto namin,” said Reyes.
Tyler Tio and Jason Perkins each had 12 apiece to pace Phoenix whose coach Willy Wilson lost in his coaching debut.
The scores
TNT (93) - Nambatac 22, Oftana 15, Enciso 12, Ferrer 12, Khobuntin 9, Pogoy 8, Galinato 8, Jalalon 4, Williams 3, Hill 0.
Phoenix (78) - Tio 12, Perkins 12, Ballungay 11, Tuffin 10, Nelle 9, Rivero 8, Santos 6, Manganti 5, Jazul 3, Taha 2, Caperal 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21; 45-42; 66-56; 93-78.
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