Khobuntin waxes hot as TNT dispatches Phoenix to book Govs' Cup semis slot

The TNT Tropang Giga banked on a strong second half performance to book a slot in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup semifinals after a 132-105 rout of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuelmasters in the quarters on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Giga outscored Phoenix in the third frame, 34-19, to end the said period with a 100-83 lead after leading just by two, 66-64, at the end of the first half. TNT led by as much as 28 in multiple points the fourth period before taking the win.

Glenn Khobuntin waxed hot from beyond the arc with five triples and tallied 19 markers in total, but it was Roger Pogoy who led the locals in scoring with 25 points, on top of his 11 rebounds and seven assists.

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson posted a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jayson Castro scored 20 while Calvin Oftana and Mikey Williams had 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Du'Vaughn Maxwell had 23 points and 10 rebounds while Jason Perkins led the Phoenix locals with 21 points.

TNT will wait for the winner of the Magnolia-Meralco bracket to determine their opponent in the best-of-five semis.

The scores:

TNT 132 – Pogoy 25, Castro 20, Khobuntin 19, Hollis-Jefferson 18, Oftana 15, M. Williams 14, Chua 6, Erram 6, Montalbo 3, Marcelo 2, K. Williams 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Varilla 0, Tungcab 0.

Phoenix 105 – Maxwell 23, Perkins 21, Mocon 15, Serrano 9, Jazul 8, Manganti 8, Tio 7, Muyang 5, Soyud 3, Lojera 3, Alejandro 3, Garcia 0, Camacho 0, Adamos 0, Go 0.

Quarters: 38-41, 66-64, 100-83, 132-105.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News