TNT blew away a huge 23-point lead but toughened up in the clutch and fended off Meralco, 101-99, in a Tuesday thriller in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
After squandering a 44-21 spread and falling behind by three at 94-97, the Tropang Giga banked on clutch hits by RR Pogoy and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to salvage the game and preserve a run they started in their closing assignments in 2024.
Behind the 7-2 closing romp by Pogoy and RHJ, the Tropang Giga escaped the blushes and went above the .500 mark with a third straight win after a 0-2 conference start.
The Bolts actually had a chance to complete a stirring come-from-behind win but missed it on a bungled three-point try from Cliff Hodge in the dying seconds.
With that, coach Luigi Trillo and his chargers dropped to 4-3, but still at sixth spot behind NorthPort (6-1), Rain or Shine (4-1), Converge (6-2), Barangay Ginebra (5-2) and Hong Kong Eastern (6-3).
Sponsored content:
Hollis-Jefferson drilled in two free throws to shatter the final deadlock of the game then the Tropang Giga put up a good defense, clamping down on Chris Newsome who was forced to give up possession.
Still, the Bolts found an open man in Hodge but who was not up to the task for the game-winner at the buzzer.
TNT pulled through with RHJ and Calvin Oftana sharing scoring honors with 24 points each.
Rey Nambatac added 15 while Pogoy chipped in 12, including a booming trey preventing the Bolts from completely seizing control after a searing rally from 23 points down.
Akil Mitchell fired 24 points to pace the Bolts who drew 19 from Newsome, 14 from Chris Banchero and 12 from Bong Quinto. (SB)
Sponsored content:
The scores:
TNT 101 -Hollis-Jefferson 24, Oftana 24, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Castro 7, Erram 6, Aurin 5, Galinato 5, Khobuntin 3, Razon 0, Varilla 0
Meralco 99 - Mitchell 24, Newsome 19, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Black 8, Hodge 6, Rios 5, Bates 4, Almazan 4, Cansino 3, Caram 0
Quarterscores: 27-17, 52-35, 79-68, 101-99.
