ALMOND Vosotros' decision to cancel a planned vacation in Japan with his family proved to be a very welcome one for TNT.
The veteran playmaker shone in his return to the Tropang 5G's 5x5 lineup, helping boost them to a cruising 94-70 victory over floundering NorthPort Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Vosotros, called up to help remedy TNT's backcourt problems, scored only 12 points. But nine of those came during a crucial second quarter surge that enabled TNT to gain full momentum and break away from the tight contest.
"Unang-una thankful ako sa opportunity. Thankful ako kila coach Chot (Reyes), sa lahat ng coaching staff, na nabigyan ulit ako ng second chance," said the 35-year-old, who has had previous stints with TNT in 2019-20 and 2024 and remained a practice player with the team.
Equally thankful was Reyes, who previously had to make do with a backcourt that was without the injured Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac and then had rookie Jielo Razon recently undergoing appendectomy.
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"Mayroon na siyang vacation sa Japan. Nabili na ticket, na-book na lahat ng hotel, with his whole family, his wife and two kids, and he gave that up. Kinansel niya iyon just to have this opportunity," related Reyes.
"It was really a big sacrifice for him and we're very thankful. He knew we would need him here."
More rewards should be forthcoming as its fifth straight win put TNT at 5-3 and a clear shot at joining early qualifiers Magnolia, San Miguel Beer, NLEX and Converge in the eight-team quarterfinals.
Clavin Oftana, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Roger Pogoy, Simon Enciso, Kelly Williams and Poy Erram also helped put the Grand Slam-seeking Tropa in that enviable position going to their last three games in the eliminations.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser also finally saw action following an ACL tear-caused year-long absence, chipping in five points and eight rebounds, giving Reyes an additional big man following an injury to Henry Galinato.
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Meanwhile, its seventh straight loss eliminated NorthPort from the playoffs contention along with Blackwater, also 1-7, and 1-8 Terrafirma.
Joshua Munzon led all scorers with 20 points, Cade Flores added nine points and 12 rebounds and returnee Jerick Balanza, along with Calvin Abueva part of the recent trade that sent William Navarro to Magnolia, also had nine points.
Abueva, however, failed to see action as he was helping attend to an ailing family member. (NC)
The Scores :
TNT 94 - Oftana 15, Pogoy 13, Vosotros 12, Erram 11, Enciso 11, Williams 11, Aurin 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 4, Ebona 1, Varilla 0, Payawal 0, Exciminiano.
NORTHPORT 70 - Munzon 20, Flores 9, Balanza 9, Cuntapay 7, Bulanadi 5, Jalalon 5, Onwubere 4, Yu 4, Nelle 3, Kwekuteye 2, Nava 2, Taha 0.
QUARTERS: 20-18, 52-32, 70-49, 94-70
