MANILA – TNT Tropang 5G finally nailed their first win in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup via an 89-84 victory over San Miguel Beermen on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Calvin Oftana led the way with a double-double of 23 points and 21 rebounds, while Rey Nambatac added 15 markers as the Tropang 5G barged into the win-column after a 0-3 start this conference.
Roger Pogoy contributed 14 markers, while Simon Enciso and Kelly Williams finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Tropang 5G.
From a 58-all score midway through the third quarter, the Tropang 5G got consecutive points from Oftana and Nambatac as they surged to a 71-62 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Beermen tried to keep the match close at 78-81 behind three-point baskets from Juan Miguel Tiongson, but two free throws by Oftana and triples by Enciso and Pogoy sealed the win for the Tropang 5G.
Jaymar Perez finished with 26 points, June Mar Fajardo added 21 markers, while Tiongson and Marcio Lassiter had 15 and 14, respectively, as the Beermen dropped to a 3-2 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued their hot start in the season-ending conference as they took down Terrafirma Dyip, 127-94.
Zavier Lucero had a near double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Hotshots, while Paul Lee added 15 points as they remained on top with a perfect 5-0 record.
Holding to a slim 27-25 lead after the opening quarter, the Hotshots went on a huge 38-12 scoring blast in the second quarter behind Lee and Lucero to establish a 65-37 halftime lead.
The Dyip threatened to within 46-69 early in the third quarter, but the Hotshots quickly regained their offense to pull away anew and hit the largest lead of the match at 33 points at 127-94.
Louie Sangalang finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, while Kevin Ferrer and Stanley Pringle added 17 markers apiece for the Dyip, who continued their losing skid to drop to a 1-4 win-loss slate./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 89 – Oftana 23, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 14, Enciso 13, Williams 12, Khobuntin 8, Erram 4, Heruela 0, Razon 0, Aurin 0.
SAN MIGUEL 84 – Perez 26, Fajardo 21, Tiongson 15, Lassiter 14, Cruz 6, Brondial 2, Ross 0, Tautuaa 0, Cahilig 0, Trollano 0, Teng 0, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 44-39, 71-62, 89-84.
