Decisive Victory Propels TNT to Solo Second Place
TNT Tropang Giga secured a dominant 115-97 win over San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. This crucial victory boosted TNT’s chances of clinching a Top Two finish and dropped San Miguel to the brink of elimination. The Tropang Giga capitalized on a strong first half, building a 17-point lead at halftime and extending it to as much as 20 points by the final buzzer.
The win elevated TNT to solo second place with an 8-3 record, trailing NorthPort (9-3) but ahead of close competitors Meralco (7-3), Converge (8-4), and Barangay Ginebra (7-4). The fight for the Top Two and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals remains intense.
Key to TNT’s Success
Overcoming a poor 0-2 start in the tournament, TNT coach Chot Reyes emphasized the importance of putting the team in a strong position:
“Things are unpredictable, but the best thing is to give ourselves a shot.”
TNT’s final elimination round game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on January 31 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig will be pivotal to their Top Two aspirations.
San Miguel’s Struggles and Potential Elimination
The loss was a significant blow for defending champions San Miguel Beermen, dropping their record to 5-7. This result pushed them down from 8th to 10th place, overtaken by the NLEX Road Warriors (5-6) and Magnolia Hotshots (5-6).
San Miguel’s playoff hopes now hinge on the outcomes of NLEX and Magnolia’s final games. A win by either team will eliminate the Beermen, marking a rare occurrence of San Miguel missing the playoffs.
Player Highlights
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (TNT): Delivered an exceptional triple-double performance with 35 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.
- RR Pogoy (TNT): Contributed 22 points, including 4 three-pointers.
- Calvin Oftana (TNT): Added 16 points, also with 4 three-pointers.
- Jayson Castro and Poy Erram (TNT): Scored 14 points each.
- June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel): Led his team with 34 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort.
Conclusion
TNT’s commanding victory solidifies their place as a contender for the Top Two finish, while San Miguel faces an uphill battle to avoid an early exit. As the elimination round nears its conclusion, the fight for playoff spots intensifies.
The Scores :
TNT 115 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Pogoy 22, Oftana 16,
Castro 14, Erram 14, Nambatac 6, Williams 6, Galinato 2, Heruela 0,
Khobuntin 0, Razon 0, Exciminiano 0.
SAN MIGUEL 97 – Fajardo 34,
Trollano 13, Pope 10, Tautuaa 10, Lassiter 9, Perez 9, Cruz 6, Ross 3,
Tiongson 3, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0.
QUARTERS: 31-19, 56-49, 87-70, 115-97
