PBA: Calvin Oftana drops 37 as TNT overcomes NLEX

Calvin Oftana dropped 37 points as TNT overcame NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on Saturday.

Oftana's 37 points tied his previous career-high which he registered early this year in the Commissioner's Cup.

The Road Warriors led by 12 points early in the final frame before TNT tied the game at 92 with 7:29 left. A triple by Jayson Castro gave TNT a 100-99 advantage at the 3:52 mark before Robert Bolick answered with a layup to reclaim the lead. 

RR Pogoy drilled a trey to hand TNT a 103-101 lead before a split by Glenn Khobuntin eventually gave the Tropang Giga its second straight win and improve to 4-3.

Aside from his 37 points, Oftana had 12 boards and six assists, while Pogoy chipped in 21 points. 

Robbie Herndon also equaled his previous career-high of 25 points which he had back in December 2023. Bolick had 23 points, while Mike Miranda added 17 points as NLEX slipped to 5-2.

Meanwhile at the Caloocan Sports Complex, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters extended its winning streak to four as they took down the Terrafirma Dyip, 116-104.

Beau Belga had 19 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Andrei Caracut had a double-double outing with 17 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds as Rain or Shine improved to 4-4.

The win spoiled Stephen Holt's 20 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds, while Juami Tiongson added his own 20 markers as Terrafirma lost its second straight game and went down to 4-5.

Scores:

First Game:

Rain or Shine 116 – Belga 19, Caracut 17, Clarito 16, Santillan 15, Borboran 13, Belo 11, Mamuyac 10, Demusis 6, Ildefonso 6, Asistio 3, Nocum 0.

Terrafirma 104 – Holt 20, Tiongson 20, Gomez de Liano 18, Go 13, Cahilig 9, Camson 9, Calvo 4, Alolino 4, Ramos 3, Carino 3, Sangalang 1, Mina 0.

Quarters: 34-32, 65-61, 92-82, 116-104.

Second Game:

TNT 104 – Oftana 37, Pogoy 21, Castro 16, Khobuntin 11, Galinato 7, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 5, K.Williams 4, Montalbo 3, Ponferrada 0, Reyes 0, Aurin 0.

NLEX 101 – Herndon 25, Bolick 23, Miranda 17, Fajardo 14, Semerad 6, Valdez 6, Nieto 4, Marcelo 3, Amer 2, Nermal 1, Rodger 0, Anthony 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 29-27, 49-57, 76-87, 104-101.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News