ONE good all-around effort deserves a fitting followup and that's exactly what TNT dished out in thrashing a hapless Terrafirma squad, 110-74, Friday for the former's second straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Calvin Oftana scored 22 points and Poy Erram 19, also in just three quarters, in leading the Tropang 5G to the wire-to-wire victory that came on the heels of their 89-84 squeaker over San Miguel Beer last Sunday.
"Our objective coming to this ballgame was just to make sure we beat Terrafirma with our effort and our energy," said TNT coach Chot Reyes after the win that jacked his side's record to 2-3 while finally beating a Terrafirma crew that won their first two meetings this season.
"Matagal na naming hindi tinatalo team na ito so we know we don't really have a good record against this team. So we wanted to make sure that it doesn't happen this time," offered Reyes.
"I think that's what happened. Our starters got us off to a really good start with their defensive effort and that permeated all throughout the ballgame," added Reyes.
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"We just wanted to make sure na hindi masayang 'yung huling panalo namin. I thought we had a big win against San Miguel and we wanted to follow it up with another good effort."
Indeed, even the Tropa's relievers showed little let-up when fielded with Calvin Payawal's back-to-back 3s even pegging the game's biggest difference at 102-56.
Louie Sangalang had 16 points and as many rebounds and Mark Nonoy found his touch late to also finish with 16 markers to lead Terrafirma, which absorbed its fifth straight loss to drop to a 1-5 slate.
Not helping the Dyip any were their 24-of-69 field shooting, as well as their 19 turnovers which were translated into as many points by the Tropa.
Terrafirma's lack of offensive clout was also typified by Stanley Pringle and Aldrech Ramos, who combined for 22 points in the first half but were both shut out in the last two quarters.
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In contrast, Rey Nambatac contributed 12 points, Kim Aurin 11, Roger Pogoy 10 and Glenn Khobuntin and Payawal nine each to highlight TNT's balanced offense.
Reyes is not about to let his team rest on its laurels just yet, pointing out a tough three-game stretch in six days that starts with a faceoff against Meralco on Sunday, partly explaining why he rested his main rotation players after an 88-52 lead was secured after three quarters.
"We have to play a lot more, tougher games," stated Reyes. (NC)
The Scores :
TNT 110 - Oftana 22, Erram 19, Nambatac 12, Aurin 11, Pogoy 10, Payawal 9, Khobuntin 9, Williams 7, Varilla 5, Heruela 3, Ebona 3, Razon 0, Enciso 0.
TERRAFIRMA 74 - Sangalang 16, Nonoy 16, Pringle 12, Ramos 10, Catapusan 9, Ferrer 7, Hanapi 3, Hernandez 1, Zaldivar 0, Olivario 0, Melecio 0, Paraiso 0.
QUARTERS: 31-18, 51-35, 88-52, 110-74
