TNT finally claimed the scalp of Terrafirma this season with a blowout 110-74 win on Friday in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena.
The grand slam-chasing Tropang 5G made sure not to give any opening to the Dyip, who beat them in their first two meetings this season. This time they led by as many as 46 points and never once let up.
TNT has now won two straight games to improve to 2-3, while Terrafirma has now lost five straight and dropped to 1-5.
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“Our objective coming into this ballgame was just to make sure that we beat Terrafirma with our effort and our energy,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “We all know na matagal na naming hindi natatalo ‘tong team na ito. We don’t have a really good record against this team. We wanted to make sure that it doesn’t happen this time.”
Calvin Oftana continued his stellar start by finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, and three blocks. Poy Erram added 19 points and four rebounds for TNT, which held a 31-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The result of the game was already settled long before the final buzzer that TNT got an opportunity to sit the starters and play the second- and third-stringers such as CJ Payawal, who had nine points in seven minutes.
“Our starters got us off to a really good start with their defensive effort and all throughout the ballgame,” said Reyes.
Louie Sangalang had 16 points and 16 rebounds for Terrafirma. Mark Nonoy, who exploded with 33 points in their prior game with TNT in the Commissioner’s Cup, had 16 this time around.
The scores:
TNT 110 – Oftana 22, Erram 19, Nambatac 12, Aurin 11, Pogoy 10, Payawal 9, Khobuntin 9, Williams 7, Varilla 5, Ebona 3, Heruela 3, Razon 0, Enciso 0.
Terrafirma 74 – Nonoy 16, Sangalang 16, Pringle 12, Ramos 10, Catapusan 9, Ferrer 7, Hanapi 3, Hernandez 1, Zaldivar 0, Paraiso 0, Melecio 0, Olivario 0.
Quarters: 31-18; 51-35; 88-52; 110-74.
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