The PBA Commissioner’s Cup turned in an explosive double-header on Wednesday, with two contenders clashing in the curtain-raiser and a crowd darling making its tournament debut against a team on a three-game winning streak. Here is a recap of the action:
TNT Nips Magnolia Behind Calvin Oftana Explosion
Calvin Oftana and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson willed the TNT Tropang Giga past the Magnolia Hotshots, 103-100, to notch their first win after two straight defeats to open the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Magnolia, though, proved to be a scrappy bunch. But the Tropa would not be denied—especially not Oftana, who exploded with a game-high 42 points built on nine triples. His trey consecutive triples at the midway point of the third were especially crucial, as they helped TNT build a 71-64 advantage. He also hit his final triple with under four minutes left to give his team a 102-90 cushion.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 41 points as he and Oftana carried the fight for TNT. He also had 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in another all-around gem. Ricardo Ratliffe led the Hotshots with 27 markers and 14 boards. Mark Barroca, Calvin Abueva, and Jerom Lastimosa all chipped in 18 apiece.
Magnolia, which dropped to 1-3, gets a one-week break before it takes on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on December 18. TNT plays a day later, on December 19, against the Blackwater Bossing. Both games will be at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
- TNT (103) – Oftana 42, Hollis-Jefferson 41, Pogoy 6, Erram 6, Heruela 4, Nambatac 4
- Magnolia (100) – Ratliffe 27, Barroca 18, Abueva 18, Lastimosa 18, Sangalang 9, Eriobu 5, Dionisio 3, Mendoza 2
Ginebra Turns Back NLEX in Delayed Debut
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel finally made their debut on Wednesday, and they made sure it was a smashing one—turning back the NLEX Road Warriors, 109-100, for a rousing opener.
NLEX was actually ahead at intermission, 43-42, but a huge 36-23 third quarter from the Barangay turned the game completely as Ginebra entered the fourth up, 78-66. The crowd darlings never looked back, repulsing every comeback attempt by the Road Warriors to notch their first win.
Stephen Holt led Ginebra’s third-quarter storm, scoring 20 of his 26 points and hitting five of his six triples in the breakaway. Justin Brownlee backed Holt up with all-around numbers of 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, while Scottie Thompson added 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 dimes. Mike Watkins had 27 points and 21 rebounds for the Road Warriors. Rober Bolick had 18 points and 7 assists.
Ginebra returns to action on Friday against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, while NLEX faces the Converge FiberXers on December 17. Both games will also be at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
- Barangay Ginebra (109) – Holt 26, Brownlee 24, J. Aguilar 15, Ahanmisi 13, Rosario 9, Thompson 8, Abarrientos 6, Cu 6, Adamos 2
- NLEX (100) – Watkins 27, Bolick 18, Alas 14, Policarpio 13, Valdez 11, Torres 5, Semerad 4, Herndon 4, Rodger 2, Bahio 2
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Continues
The next double-header of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup will be at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium later today. The Northport Batang Pier and the Converge FiberXers will face off in the first game. The Blackwater Bossing and Meralco Bolts clash in the second game.
