TNT continues Grand Slam bid, eliminates Rain or Shine to book finals ticket anew

TNT remained on track in its Grand Slam bid after escaping Rain or Shine, 97-89, in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the victory, the Tropang 5G eliminated the Elasto Painters to advance to the finals.

This will be TNT's third straight finals stint this season after winning the first two titles of the league's 49th season -- the Governors' Cup and the Commissioner's Cup.

Both teams were tied at 80 before Calvin Oftana's three-point play with less than four minutes remaining changed the rhythm of the game.

After that, Adrian Nocum had a turnover which led to Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser's dunk. Jordan Heading then drilled a triple to extend TNT's lead to eight before Calelan Tiongson trimmed the Elasto Painters' deficit. TNT then made another 6-0 run to get a 94-82 lead before Tiongson drilled a triple. Glenn Khobuntin was then brought to the line where he made a split as Nocum got his sixth foul.

Another Heading freebie then put TNT at 96 before a kerfuffle happened late in the game. Technical fouls were then called on Andrei Caracut, Ganuelas-Rosser, Khobuntin, and Clarito. Heading made another split late to split the victory as Tiongson made a late four-pointer.

"By just keeping our eyes on the prize, we said even with that bad start [in the conference], all we wanted was to get a chance," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said. "Number two, we just came together."

Heading had 29 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Ganuelas-Rossr had 17 points, five boards, and two assists. Khobuntin, meanwhile, registered a double-double of 16 points, 12 boards, an assist and a steal.

The win spoiled Tiongson's hot-shooting night where he erupted for 30 points, while Caracut and Nocum had 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Scores:

TNT 97 – Heading 29, Ganuelas-Rosser 17, Khobuntin 16, Aurin 13, Oftana 12, Heruela 5, Enciso 3, Erram 2, Varilla 0, Vosotros 0, Galinato 0.

Rain or Shine 89 – Tiongson 30, Caracut 15, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 9, Clarito 8, Asistio 7, Santillan 4, Malonzo 3, Datu 2, Norwood 0.

Quarters: 28-27, 47-50, 69-70, 97-89.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News