MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga showed their composure down the stretch to score a 93-85 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Holding to a slim 76-80 lead, the Tropang Giga got a split free throw from Rey Nambatac and a three-point play from Roger Pogoy to establish an 84-76 lead with over two minutes left.
The Painters managed to cut the deficit to 81-86, but the Tropang Giga responded with a three-pointer and two free throws from Kim Aurin and an inside conversion from Calvin Oftana to seal the victory.
Oftana top-scored for the Tropang Giga with 26 points to go with five assists and four rebounds to be named Player of the Game as they took a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Roger Pogoy added 22 markers, with 18 coming in the first half, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tallied 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, and Nambatac tallied 11 points for TNT.
“Our pre-game was very simple, I challenged my players to be better. I just told them to be better screeners, better passers, better defenders, just make sure that they will be better today,” TNT head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes said after the game.
“The players responded well to the challenge, and there are some great hustle plays on our part, and in the end that was the difference,” added the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor.
Deon Thompson was the lone double-digit scorer for the Painters with 44 points to go with 13 rebounds, while Keith Datu and Anton Asistio contributed eight markers apiece in the loss./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 93 – Oftana 26, Pogoy 22, Hollis-Jefferson 17, Nambatac 12, Aurin 9, Erram 4, Williams 3, Razon 0, Khobuntin 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 85 – Thompson 44, Datu 8, Asistio 8, Caracut 6, Tiongson 6, Clarito 5, Nocum 4, Mamuyac 4, Norwood 0, Santillan 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21, 53-43, 73-67, 93-85.
