MANILA — Titan Ultra Giant Risers finally returned to the win column after surviving a furious fourth-quarter comeback by the Macau Giant Pandas, 132-128, to snap a five-game losing streak in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The victory lifted Titan Ultra to 2-5, while NLEX later preserved its spotless record in Group A by fending off TNT Tropang 5G, 88-83, to improve to 6-0.
Tirell Brown Jr. powered the Giant Risers with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to earn Player of the Game honors.
Joshua Munzon contributed 18 points, while Shej Roi Sumang and Ilonggo guard John Bryan Sajonia provided key production off the bench with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Titan Ultra came out blazing, storming to a 49-27 lead after the opening quarter before stretching the advantage to 80-60 at halftime. The Giant Risers remained in control entering the fourth period with a commanding 108-93 cushion.
Macau, however, launched a spirited rally behind import De’Vondre Perry and repeatedly trimmed the deficit to single digits in the final period. Brown answered every challenge with crucial baskets in the closing minutes to preserve Titan Ultra’s much-needed victory.
Perry erupted for a game-high 45 points for the Giant Pandas, while Ramon Cao added 24. Jeffrey Ma and Damian Chongqui scored 18 points apiece, and Kobey Lam chipped in 14 as Macau also fell to 2-5.
In the second game, NLEX weathered a late TNT fightback to remain unbeaten in the conference.
The Road Warriors appeared headed for a comfortable victory after building a 16-point lead, but the Tropang 5G stormed back and pulled within two points, 85-83, late in the contest.
Deschon Winston responded with a timely basket to restore a four-point cushion before Robert Bolick Jr. intercepted a TNT pass and split his free throws to seal the win.
DeQuan Jones finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks to claim Player of the Game honors as NLEX stretched its winning streak to six games in Group A. TNT dropped to 3-3./PN
