PBA: TNT gets back to winning ways after escaping Terrafirma fightback

TNT made the key stops and baskets to thwart Terrafirma’s upset bid, escaping with a 101-89 victory in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Bol Bol torched the Dyip with a double-double outing of 35 points and 14 rebounds laced with four blocks, two assists, and a steal while Calvin Oftana led the local support with 20 markers and 12 boards as the Tropang 5G bounced back from a previous loss to Meralco and improved to 3-2.

Terrafirma, meanwhile, has now suffered its third straight loss after a 3-0 start.

Already enjoying a 22-point lead late in the third period, TNT had to turn back a furious rally by the slumping Terrafirma, which unleashed a 16-4 blast led by Jerrick Ahanmisi and Brent Paraiso to pull within six, 88-82.

Top overall pick Geo Chiu then drew a foul from Bol and split his free throws, but the former Ateneo standout eventually fouled out with 4:33 remaining, allowing TNT’s import more freedom to operate in the paint.

Bol attracted the defense of Shawn Umali before dishing a pass to an open Oftana, who fired the corner three-pointer to give TNT a 97-88 cushion with 2:22 to go. 

Oftana knocked down three more freebies on the next plays to seal the victory and bounce back from his 10-point performance in their 110-106 loss to the Bolts last Tuesday. 

"I think the biggest difference was our players like Calvin now is +15 from -14 the last time and that's a big difference. Brandon at least no is a +3, he was -16 the last time," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said. 

"So those two turnarounds were huge for our team."

Reyes, however, stressed that his squad has yet to reach its peak despite winning three of its last five games, as they continue to fine-tune their form in their title defense bid.

"But to be very honest, we're still far from competing against the better teams in this league. We have such a lot to work on and so much more to improve on as well,"  Reyes added.

Scores:

TNT 101 – Bol 35, Oftana 20, Ganuelas-Rosser 9, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 6, Nava 6, Castro 5, Ferrer 3, Aurin 3, Galinato 2, Heading 2, Williams 0, Nieto 0, Khobuntin 0.

Terrafirma 89 – Ali 24, J.Ahanamisi 19, Paraiso 13, Hanapi 7, Chiu 5, Zaldivar 5, Bravo 4, Eriobu 4, Garcia 3, Umali 3, Catapusan 0, Adamos 0.

Quarters: 33-22, 53-44, 82-66, 101-89.

—JKC, GMA News