TNT routs skidding Phoenix by 36 points for big bounce back win

TNT wasted no time regaining its winning ways, venting its ire on hapless Phoenix, 106-70, to formally enter the playoffs of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Tropang Giga, who was served with a wake-up call after dropping an uncharacteristic 117-108 loss to bottom-ranked Terrafirma just last Wednesday, relied on balanced offense and bench production as they improved to 7-3.

The also-ran Fuel Masters, meanwhile, absorbed their fourth straight loss to go 3-9.

"We talked about it before the last game, it's really hard to play teams that have nothing to lose and you saw how Terrafirma played in the last game and I take full responsibility because I failed to prepare the players enough," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

"We wanted to make sure that we go back to who we are, the way we play defense."

TNT made sure to learn the lessons from its last game against the Dyip, who were winless before their encounter two days ago.

This time, the Tropang Giga made 15 three-pointers to make up for their unusual 8-of-26 shooting percentage from downtown against Terrafirma. In terms of bench points, TNT improved from their 24 last game to 52 today.

Against Terrafirma, TNT trailed by as much as 31 but against the Fuel Masters, the latter didn't even hold a lead once all throughout the match.

"Last game kasi ang selfish namin, parang hindi kami nagtutulungan so nakita namin ngayon at nagtutulungan na kami. 'Pag gano'n 'yung depensa namin, kagaya last game, wala talaga kaming chance manalo," RR Pogoy said.

[Last game, we played selfish. It was like we weren't helping each other out so we see today we've been helping each other. When our defense is like the last game, we won't have a chance to win.]

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who erupted for 41 points last time, was limited to just 15 points today but grabbed 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in 28 minutes of action.

But the TNT resident import didn't lack local support with Pogoy contributing 12 markers and Calvin Oftana and Kim Aurin chipping in 11 points apiece as TNT remains in hunt for the twice-to-beat bonus.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News