Author: Bon Maddagan
Photo Credit: PBA Images
On Sep. 12, the Tropang Giga unleashed a barrage of weapons, overwhelming Meralco once again and extending their winning streak to four games. This victory propelled them to the top of Group A, claiming the sole lead.
Calvin Oftana was the driving force behind the victory, delivering a consistent performance throughout the game. He finished with an impressive 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, with a remarkable 6-for-7 shooting from three-point territory.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continued his dominant form, narrowly missing a triple-double with 22 points. The rest of the TNT offense was equally impressive, with Kim Aurin contributing 16 points, JP Erram adding 11, and Jayson Castro chipping in 12 points.
Meanwhile, Meralco’s Allen Durham rebounded from their previous meeting, where he was held to just 8 points. He dominated the paint today with a powerful 26-point performance. Newsome also had a standout game, contributing 23 points.
TNT’s Early Dominance And Meralco’s Late Surge
The Tropang Giga came out of the gates blazing, setting the tone for the game with a red-hot first quarter. Kim Aurin ignited the offense, contributing 8 of the team’s first 13 points. Then it was Calvin Oftana’s turn to shine, raining down three-pointers and leading his team to an impressive 32-point quarter.
TNT held a comfortable lead for most of the period, but the defending all-Filipino champions didn’t just roll over and die. They stepped it up on the fourth as Bong Quinto, who had a tough night, stepped up with a clutch four-point shot, pulling them within 6 points at 86-92. Chris Newsome then added a three-pointer of his own, bringing them even closer at 89-92.
The momentum seemed to shift as Meralco clawed their way back into the game. However, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson wants nothing but to win. He made a tough shot over two defenders, restoring TNT’s lead and putting them back in control. Meralco had multiple chances to bring the lead closer but TNT’s defense held strong, ultimately sealing the victory.
The Scores :
- TNT 108 – Oftana 25, Hollis-Jefferson 22, Aurin 16, Castro 12, Erram 11, Pogoy 9. Williams 9, Nambatac 4, Heruela 0, Khobuntin 0
- MERALCO 99 – Durham 26, Newsome 23, Quinto 12, Cansino 12, Bancheor 10, Caram 8, Pasoal 4, Rios 4, Bates 0, Pascual 0, Mendoza 0, Jose 0
- QUARTERS: 32-20, 49-44, 78-67, 108-99
