MANILA – Rey Nambatac buried a corner three-pointer at the buzzer to cap TNT Tropang 5G’s furious comeback and stun the Converge FiberXers, 110-107, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
With the score tied at 107-all following four consecutive free throws by FiberXers import Jamaal Franklin, Nambatac brought the ball downcourt before pulling up from the corner and draining the game-winning shot as time expired.
The dramatic victory improved the Tropang 5G’s record to 2-2, while the FiberXers slipped to 3-2.
Nambatac earned Player of the Game honors after finishing with 30 points, including three three-pointers, along with four assists, two rebounds and one steal.
Jordan Heading added 20 points before leaving the game with an injury in the second half, while Henry Galinato Jr. recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for TNT.
Darius Days contributed 10 points and four rebounds in what could be his final appearance for the Tropang 5G. He is reportedly set to join the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League.
Franklin led Converge with 30 points, while Justine Baltazar added 21. Mikey Williams and Justin Arana chipped in 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Fuel Masters bounced back from their first loss in the season-ending conference with a 102-93 victory over the Blackwater Bossing.
Jason Perkins came off the bench to lead Phoenix with 25 points, five rebounds and two assists as the Fuel Masters recovered from their defeat to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and improved to 4-1.
Johnson posted a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds, Mamuyac registered a conference-high 18 points, while Rivero narrowly missed a triple-double with 10 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
Kentrell Barkley powered Blackwater with a massive double-double of 36 points and 25 rebounds. RK Ilagan added 21 points, while Sedrick Barefield had 10 as the Bossing absorbed their third consecutive defeat and dropped to 2-3./PN
