PBA: Rey Nambatac calls game as TNT escapes Meralco in OT encounter

Rey Nambatac sank the game-winning jumper as TNT defeated Meralco in an overtime classic, 100-98, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo. 

The lefty guard drove to the middle lane and buried the clutch jumper right at the buzzer as the Tropang 5G completed a 23-point comeback to gain leadership of the All-Filipino tournament. 

That basket sealed a big night for Nambatac, who finished with 22 points, four rebounds, and two assists while Calvin Oftana led the offense with 24 markers, five boards, and four steals. 

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and RR Pogoy helped the cause with 14 points each as Jio Jalalon proved his worth with 10 markers, three assists, and three steals. 

With the win, TNT is now tied with NLEX at 4-1 at the top of the standings while the Bolts sank to a 3-4 card. 

TNT had to fight back after being down 46-23 in the second period, slicing the gap to just 10 by the end of the third thanks to key baskets from Glenn Khobuntin and Kevin Ferrer. 

The Tropang 5G, who fell short in their Grand Slam bid last season, then continued to rally from that deficit in the fourth as Nambatac buried a four-point shot that pulled them to within a point, 84-85, with 2:26 to go. 

Nambatac would again knock down a clutch four-pointer to give TNT its first taste of the lead at 90-87, but Chris Newsome hit a three-pointer to force an overtime. 

Newsome fronted Meralco's attack with 24 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals off the bench while Cliff Hodge poured 21 markers, 10 boards, and two blocks in their second straight loss. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News