PBA: TNT clinches twice-to-beat, spoils Tenorio’s first game as Magnolia playing coach

TNT clinched a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup after defeating Magnolia, 94-83, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The victory spoiled LA Tenorio’s debut as a playing coach, as he logged around 13 minutes in place of injured teammates Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee.

The Tropang 5G came out strong, taking a 27-20 lead after the first quarter, then continued to pound on Magnolia and stretched the margin to as much as 70-51 with 5:12 remaining in the third period following a four-point play by Jordan Heading.

Magnolia mounted a late rally and trimmed the deficit to 88-83 with 43 seconds left, but two sets of free throws by Kelly Williams—off fouls by Yukien Andrada and Peter Alfaro—along with clutch free throws from Rey Nambatac sealed the win for TNT.

Heading led TNT with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Calvin Oftana added 17 points, while Nambatac and Williams chipped in 11 points apiece.

For Magnolia, Zav Lucero finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, one assist, and a steal, while Mark Barroca added 16 points. Tenorio tallied four points, three assists, and two rebounds in his first game as Magnolia’s playing coach.

Yukien Andrada recorded 12 points, nine rebounds, and one assist in his PBA debut, while Ian Sangalang posted a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, along with two assists.

With the win, TNT officially secured a quarterfinal berth, finishing the elimination round with an 8–3 record, while Magnolia slipped to 6–5.

Scores:

TNT 94 – Heading 23, Oftana 17, Nambatac 11, Williams 11, Pogoy 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Jalalon 7, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 2, Ferrer 0, Aurin 0.

Magnolia 83 – Lucero 17, Barroca 16, Sangalang 12, Andrada 12, Gomez de Liano 9, Dela Rosa 6, Alfaro 5, Tenorio 4, Koon 2, Verano 0, Laput 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 27-20, 47-38, 7462, 94-83.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News