TNT moved closer to capping a historic season by finally hurdling Rain or Shine, 97-89, Sunday to close out their semifinals series and move on to the PBA Philippine Cup championships at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser atoned in a big way from their so-so performances in the last game, spearheading the Tropang 5G's decisive 14-2 break from the last deadlock at 80-all enroute to clinching the best-of-seven duel, 4-2.
As it is, TNT now faces either Barangay Ginebra or San Miguel Beer, figuring in a Game 7 in their own semis duel on Wednesday at the Big Dome, in the championship round.
Whoever their next foe would be, the Tropa remain just four wins away from becoming only the fifth team to complete a season sweep and first since San Mig Coffee last pulled off the trick in the 2013-14 season.
That niche in league history seemed beyond the reach of TNT after it started the season-ending campaign at 0-3 and needed a slew of injuries to some key players before overcoming Magnolia in the quarterfinals and a pesky Rain or Shine crew.
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"By keeping our eyes on the prize," said coach Chot Reyes by way of explaining how his team managed to overcome the stumbling blocks that came its way. .
"All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs and we figured whoever it is we need to beat and if we need to beat it twice then so be it," added Reyes.
"Number two, we came together... and that's what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up. Unfortunately, we got all those injuries, but it is what it is. But as you saw today these guys, they don't know the meaning of quit."
Typifying that the most were Heading, who scored 29 points, and Ganuelas-Rosser, who wound up with 17, after they combined for just seven points in a 97-113 loss in Game 5 just last Friday.
Also playing a crucial part in the clincher was Glenn Khobuntin, who racked up 16 points and a gamehigh 12 rebounds, while Kim Aurin notched 13 points on a night usual top scorer Calvin Oftana was held to just 12 points.
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Oftana, however, sparked the critical push by TNT by completing a three-point play that saw him flick the ball, without even looking at the rim, while going down off a foul by Jhonard Clarito.
Heading and Ganuelas-Rosser then took the cue by combining for the next 11 points that gave TNT a 94-82 spread that finally took the wind out of the Elasto Painters' sails.
Caelan Tiongson capped his rookie season with 30 points to lead Rain or Shine with only Andrei Caracut and Adrian Nocum the only other E-Painters in double digits with 15 and 11, respectively. (NC)
The Scores :
TNT 97 - Heading 29, Ganuelas-Rosser 17, Khobuntin 16, Aurin 13, Oftana 12, Heruela 5, Enciso 3, Erram 2, Varilla 0, Vosotros 0, Galinato 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 89 - Tiongson 30, Caracut 15, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 9, Clarito 8, Asistio 7, Santillan 4, Malonzo 3, Datu 2, Norwood 0.
QUARTERS: 28-27, 47-50, 69-70, 97-89
