PBA: TNT storms back from 21-point hole to steal semis Game 1 vs Meralco

TNT weathered a lethargic start to stun Meralco and pull off a 100-95 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals affair in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang 5G stared at a daunting 52-31 deficit in the second quarter before flipping the script with a dominant third-quarter blitz, storming back in the second half to escape with a five-point win and seize the series opener.

Calvin Oftana led the charge with 28 points, including the last four free throws that sealed it for TNT, together with seven rebounds and two assists while Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy chipped in 17 and 16 markers apiece.

Big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser also came up big with a double-double outing of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

While TNT shot 43.9 percent from the field, it was their defense that spelled the difference and ignited the comeback.

"Basically, what we said at halftime, we just challenged the players to defend one-on-one. I thought in the first half, we were relying too much on our help defense and Meralco did a great job picking it apart," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

"They did a great plan. I told them to defend the point of attack better. That's going to be our adjustment in Game 2 to defend that way."

After surrendering 62 points in the first half, TNT clamped down defensively and limited Meralco to just 13 points in the third quarter as the Bolts managed to make only four out of 18 field-goal attempts.

TNT churned out 28 points in that same period, highlighted by Pogoy’s midrange jumper that tied the game at 70. He followed it up with a three-point play and a technical free throw to put the Tropang 5G ahead 74-70, but Meralco fought back just enough to sneak into the fourth up 75-74.

Oftana then took over in the endgame. 

The Gilas Pilipinas wingman broke a 91-all deadlock by completing his own three-point play before issuing a dime to the cutting Ganuelas-Rosser that put TNT at 96-91 cushion with 2:30 left. 

Back-to-back defensive stops from Meralco led to Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome baskets, 95-96.

However, the Bolts could not convert in the next possession as Oftana punctuated the come-from-behind win with four straight freebies. 

Meralco, who was coming off a huge quarterfinal upset against Rain or Shine, leaned on Banchero and CJ Cansino as the former dropped 16 and the latter posted 14 markers. 

Scores:

TNT 100 – Oftana 28, Nambatac 17, Pogoy 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Heading 9, Williams 8, Khobuntin 6, Galinato 2, Jalalon 0, Enciso 0, Erram 0.

Meralco 95 – Banchero 16, Cansino 14, Newsome 13, Almazan 13, Hodge 8, Black 6, Reyson 6, Rios 6, Quinto 5, Jose 4, Bates 4.

Quarters: 26-38, 46-62, 74-75, 100-95.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News