MANILA – TNT Tropang 5G, despite the injuries to their key players, pulled off an 108-92 rout against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Already without Rey Nambatac (groin injury) and Roger Pogoy (hamstring injury), the Tropang 5G also lost Kelly Williams in the game due to an ankle injury, while Calvin Oftana also suffered an ankle injury in the fourth period.
But the Tropang 5G got a huge lift from Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Glenn Khobuntin, John Paul Erram, and Henry Galinato Jr. in the second half to secure the lopsided win.
Heading top-scored with 23 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Ganuelas-Rosser posted a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Tropang 5G took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Oftana contributed 16 markers, with 10 coming in the opening quarter, while Khobuntin also made his presence felt in the second half to finish with 16 for the Grand Slam-seeking TNT.
“Well, we create scoring opportunities for us because of our stop, so, in the end, it is also our defense,” Tropang 5G head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes said in a post-game interview.
“It was our defense that is fueling our offense. We also made some adjustments with our attacks at halftime to counter the defensive schemes of Rain or Shine,” he added.
Gabe Norwood finished with a season-high of 18 points, Andrei Caracut added 16 markers, while Caelan Tiongson and Adrian Nocum ended with 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Painters.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beermen broke away in the second half to clobber the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 107-82, in Game 4 and tied their own semis series at 2-2.
June Mar Fajardo played through a calf injury and finished with a double-double of 12 points and 19 rebounds to go with three assists, two steals, and a block to be named Player of the Game for the Beermen./PN
