TNT moves on cusp of PBA Philippine Cup title with Game 4 win vs. Magnolia

TNT Tropang Giga are now a win away from the coveted Jun Bernardino Trophy they last lifted in 2013.

TNT pulled off a masterful 106-89 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series to grab a commanding 3-1 edge in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup finals on Wednesday.

Rookie Mikey Williams showed off his usual form, finishing with 26 points, seven assists, and two rebounds while veteran Jayson Castro contributed 12 markers off the bench.

Game 5 is set on Friday, October 29, at 6 p.m. with TNT seeking to end an eight-year title drought in the All-Filipino Conference that was dominated by rival SMC teams the past eight editions.

After a nip-and-tuck affair in the first quarter with the teams tied at 24-all, TNT stepped on the gas midway through the second frame.

The Tropang Giga outscored the Hotshots, 33-15, with the backcourt duo of Ryan Reyes and Kib Montalbo combining for 18 points in the frame en route to their 57-39 halftime lead.

TNT then stretched its advantage to 25 at one point in the third with Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy leading a 13-6 run to open the period, 70-45.

But Magnolia countered with a 22-12 rampage of its own to close out the third trailing by only 15 markers, 67-82.

An 8-0 personal run from Mark Barroca put the Hotshots to within 14 in the fourth, 83-97, but that was the closest they would come as the Tropang Giga made sure not to collapse in the endgame.

Calvin Abueva, who was earlier named the Best Player of the Conference, led Magnolia with a team-high 28 points, six boards, two assists, and two steals while Ian Sangalang chipped in 17.

Scores:

TNT 106 - M. Williams 26, Castro 12, Marcelo 10, Reyes 10, Erram 9, Heruela 9, Pogoy 9, Montalbo 8, K. Williams 6, Rosario 5, Khobuntin 2,

Magnolia 89 - Abueva 28, Sangalang 17,  Lee 15, Barroca 13, Dela Rosa 11,Reavis 3, Jalalon 2, Corpuz 0, Melton 0, Ahanmisi 0, Pascual 0, Dionisio 0

Quarter scores: 24-24, 57-39, 82-67, 106-89

—MGP, GMA News