The TNT Tropang Giga trailed by as much as 18 points but forced overtime and clinched a 113-105 win to take a 2-0 series lead. Meanwhile, the San Miguel Beermen took control early and maintained it throughout the game, cruising to a 100-83 victory to even the series at 1-1 on June 27.
Top Performers of the Day:
Calvin John Oftana (TNT PF) 39 PTS | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 57.8 FPS
Oftana struggled on offense in Game 1 and finished with 12, his lowest scoring output in his last 13 games. But he responded in a big way, catching fire in the second half and overtime with 28 points and recording his second 30-point performance of the conference.
Gian Robert Mamuyac (ROS SF) 16 PTS | 7 REB | 3 STL | 42.9 FPS
Mamuyac had not scored in double figures in his previous seven games, but he broke out offensively in Game 2, recording 16+ points for the fifth time this conference while continuing to make a solid impact in other areas. However, he committed a crucial error in the fourth quarter, fouling Oftana on a three-point attempt, which ultimately cost them the game.
Jordan Timothy Heading (TNT PG) 13 PTS | 6 REB | 11 AST | 41.7 FPS
Heading didn’t score in the first half but he was excellent in finding his teammates. He finished the game tying his career-high in assists and his fifth double-digit scoring game of the conference. In the previous conference with the Converge FiberXers, he averaged nearly 18 points on 53.6% shooting from inside the arc.
Adrian Clarence Nocum (ROS SG) 27 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST | 36.9 FPS
Nocum’s recent scoring performances had been underwhelming, but he delivered in a major way in Game 2—highlighted by a 13-point surge in the third quarter—to finish with his seventh 20-point game of the conference.
Jhonard Clarito (ROS PF) 16 PTS | 8 REB | 2 STL | 32.6 FPS
Clarito leads the team in both scoring and rebounding in the playoffs, averaging 15.8 points and 13 rebounds.
Kelly Williams (TNT C) 9 PTS | 12 REB | 2 BLK | 28.9 FPS
Williams was a major factor in both of their wins against Magnolia and came through again in Game 2, almost recording his third double-double of the conference. Despite that, his performance in this conference has been highly inconsistent.
Brandon Arnell Ganuelas-Rosser (TNT PF) 8 PTS | 10 REB | 3 BLK | 28 FPS
BGR has been a force on both offense and defense, totalling 21 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks against ROS in their first two games.
Caelan Todd Tiongson (ROS SF) 18 PTS | 4 REB | 1 BLK | 26.3 FPS
Tiongson has elevated his offensive game, averaging 15 points in two games against TNT. He also stepped up when it mattered most, hitting 3 three-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead his team back into the game.
Marcio Lassiter (SMB SF) 16 PTS | 1 AST | 2 STL | 24.7 FPS
Lassiter took charge in the offense, knocking down 4 threes in the first half to push his team ahead. He hasn’t been very productive in scoring this conference but he remains a threat, shooting at 37.8% from two and 39.5% from three.
Biggest Disappointment of the Day:
Leonard Santillan (ROS PF) 7 PTS | 7 REB | 2 AST
Santillan couldn’t get going on offense against TNT, averaging 6 points after putting up double-digit points in his previous six games and averaging 20 points versus NLEX.
