TNT stretched its win streak to four after overcoming Rain or Shine, 111-103, on Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Tropang 5G erased an early 14-point deficit as the Elasto Painters led 31-17 later in the first period. However, TNT recovered in the second period as they claimed a 44-42 lead before closing the first half with a slim 45-44 advantage.
But before the first half closed, Beau Belga went down on the floor with around 30 ticks left as he experienced vertigo. However, he returned on the bench after a short while.
TNT continued to pace in the second half with Poy Erram making 12 points, Calvin Oftana having 11 markers, and RR Pogoy scoring 10 in the third quarter alone for their 33-point outburst.
With the game still neck-and-neck, 89-88, at the 7:06 mark of the fourth period, the Tropang 5G then made a 10-0 run built on triples made by Pogoy and Simon Enciso. Mike Malonzo then broke the dry spell for Rain or Shine but TNT just hit it, especially with Oftana and Enciso drilling triples late en route to the victory.
Pogoy went hot with 35 points as he made 13 out of 21 field goals, while Erram added 31 points. Oftana, on his end, had 28 points, eight boards, and three assists as TNT improved to 4-3.
Andrei Caracut had 20 points, while Gian Mamuyac and Jhonard Clarito chipped in 18 and 17 points, respectively as the Elasto Painters slipped to a similar 4-3 record.
Scores:
TNT 111 – Pogoy 35, Erram 31, Oftana 28, Enciso 8, Khobuntin 5, Aurin 3, Razon 1, Varilla 0, Williams 0, Heruela 0.
Rain or Shine 103 – Caracut 20, Mamuyac 18, Clarito 17, Datu 10, Nocum 8, Santillan 7, Norwood 7, Lemetti 6, Malonzo 5, Asistio 5, Belga 0.
Quarters: 20-31, 44-45, 77-74, 111-103.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News