PBA: TNT pulls away to repeat over San Miguel

No overtime needed this time as TNT broke away in the fourth to complete a 116-98 win against San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

The Tropang 5G, who needed to outlast the Beermen in OT in their first-round encounter, rode on a strong second half that saw Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and Jordan Heading wax hot from deep to put the game away.

Import Nick Hornsby continued his solid showing after dropping 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals while Pogoy had 22 markers, including the dagger triple, as TNT improved to 6-4 in Group A while the Beermen slipped to 7-3 but are already assured of a quarterfinals spot.

TNT broke a 73-all deadlock in the third with Pogoy and Nambatac hitting a triple each to help the defending champions surge to a 91-81 lead before they ended the frame enjoying a 93-83 separation.

Jayson Castro then joined in on their shooting spree as the veteran guard fired a three-pointer of his own before Oftana and Pogoy buried two more for a comfortable 102-85 advantage.

San Miguel tried to mount a comeback after a Marcio Lassiter four-point shot, but Pogoy was quick to respond after firing a corner triple off a Heading pass in the final 2:51.

CJ Perez and George King paced the Beermen with 21 and 20 points apiece.

Scores:

TNT 116 – Hornsby 23, Pogoy 21, Oftana 18, Nambatac 15, Castro 13, Heading 12, Galinato 10, Quitevis 2, Khobuntin 2, Ambohot 0.

San Miguel 98 – Perez 21, King 20, Lassiter 16, Fajardo 14, Cruz 9, Ross 6, Tautuaa 6, Trollano 3, Ahanmisi 3, Cahilig 0, Calma 0.

Quarters: 30-33, 60-65, 93-83, 116-98.

—JKC, GMA News