WITH a deadly mix of stifling defense and sizzling three-point-shooting anchored on Glenn Khobuntin, TNT regained control against NLEX, 2-1, to stand on the doorstep of the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals.
The Tropang Giga picked up a pivotal 109-91 Game 3 victory over the Road Warriors Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo as they closed in on the coveted seat to the Final Four.
The defending champions, who failed to make it 2-0 two nights ago in Sta. Rosa, Laguna via a heartbreaking 90-93 loss, can complete the job and advance Tuesday in the fourth match set at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
While helping the TNT phalanx of defenders in limiting NLEX's explosive import DeQuan Jones to a low 16 points, Khobuntin delivered a spotless 5-of-5 marksmanship from beyond the arc as he anchored the team's 15-triple barrage.
Joining Khobuntin in the long-distance bombing run were Calvin Oftana with three treys, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy with two apiece and Kelly Williams with one. Nambatac made TNT's lone make from the fourth-point line.
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The Tropang Giga's defensive wall held Jones to 7-of-16 field goals and top local gunner Robert Bolick to only 12 on a 3-of-8 clip. With their defensive stops, the Tropang Giga scored 15 easy points on transition, versus NLEX's three markers.
"For any team in this league to win by a big margin, it has to be a combination of good defense and good offense. Finally, we were able to put both together," said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Hollis-Jefferson delivered a 27-point, 12-rebound, eight-assist near triple double to pace the Tropang Giga.
Oftana shot 18 in a bounceback to his nine-point showing last game while Nambatac and Player of the Game Khobuntin scored identical 17 markers and six boards.
"We just want to win," said Khobuntin, who made NLEX pay for leaving him open for those long shots.
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"Sinabi ni coach kung open kayo, itira ninyo lang. For me, focus sa defense and if mapunta sa akin ang bola, bitawan ko lang. Thankfully, pumasok, he added. (OL)
The Scores :
TNT 109 - Hollis-Jefferson 27, Oftana 18, Khobuntin 17, Nambatac 17, Williams 11, Pogoy 8, Castro 6, Erram 4, Aurin 1, Heruela 0, Payawal 0, Ebona 0, Galinato 0.
NLEX 91 - Herndon 17, Jones 16, Bolick 12, Policarpio 11, Anthony 9, Valdez 6, Torres 6, Mocon 4, Semerad 3, Rodger 3, Nieti 2, Amer 2, Nermal 1, Miranda 0.
QUARTERS : 32-21, 61-40, 89-68, 109-91
