TNT staves off Rain or Shine rally to move on cusp of finals berth

TNT held on just enough to pull off a 93-85 Game 4 semifinals victory against a gritty Rain or Shine to move a win away from a finals ticket in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Tropang Giga survived an offensive explosion from Elasto Painters import Deon Thompson and banked on the duo of Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy to get a commanding 3-1 series lead. 

Oftana went off in the second half to finish with a team-high 26 points despite shooting just 1-of-5 from the three-point area while Pogoy chipped in 22 markers, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. 

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was limited to 17 points but grabbed 11 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal as they near a familiar series victory over the Elasto Painters. 

TNT could not put away Rain or Shine for good with Oftana and Elasto Painters import Deon Thompson trading buckets in the third period with the latter completing a three-point play to cut the deficit to three, 65-68. 

Hollis-Jefferson then buried a triple at the buzzer to make TNT's lead back up to six before the fourth quarter. 

Pogoy came alive, completing a layup before hitting a jumper that sent TNT to an 86-78 cushion with 1:52 left in the clock. 

But the wards of head coach Chot Reyes displayed their depth with Kim Aurin knocking down a three-pointer while an Oftana bucket sent TNT to a double-digit lead at 91-81. 

Thompson continued his brilliance by converting four straight points in the final 33 seconds to cut the Rain or Shine gap to six, 85-91. But Aurin calmly sank a pair of free throws on a foul from Caelan Tiongson, finishing off another tightly-contested affair between the two clubs. 

The loss spoiled a 44-point outburst from Thompson, who also posted 13 rebounds, one assist, and steal as the Elasto Painters had lack of local support with Adrian Nocum being limited to four points while Andrei Caracut was held to six. 

Scores:

TNT 93 – Oftana 26, Pogoy 22, Hollis-Jefferson 17, Nambatac 12, Aurin 9, Erram 4, Williams 3, Razon 0, Khobuntin 0,

Rain or Shine 85 – Thompson 44, Datu 8, Asistio 8, Caracut 6, Tiongson 6, Clarito 5, Nocum 4, Mamauyac 4, Norwood 0, Santillan 0.

Quarters: 26-21, 53-43, 73-67, 93-85.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News