TNT stretched its hot streak while sending NLEX to a longer slump with a 94-87 victory in their PBA Commissioner's Cup showdown at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Wednesday night.
It was a duel of runs that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and his teammates won with a decisive spurt from 63-67 down at the start of the final period enroute to a fifth straight win.
In adding NLEX to their list of victims after Magnolia (103-101), Blackwater (109-93), Meralco (101-99) and Converge (98-96), the Tropang Giga moved up to 5-2, in a good position for another playoff entry coming from their title run in the season-opening Governors Cup.
NLEX, meanwhile, went deeper down the chart at 3-6 following a fifth loss in a row.
And coach Jong Uichico and his troops are now in must-win situation in each of their last three games against Phoenix Super LPG, Rain or Shine and Hong Kong Eastern.
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For the Tropang Giga, it's a good win, preserving their momentum ahead of their game against Barangay Ginebra Friday over at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
RHJ struggled from the field and even from the stripe but fought on, coming through with 23 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and one steal in a gutsy stand against Best Import race leader Michael Watkins who logged another monster numbers with 33 points and 20 rebounds.
It helped TNT a lot that Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy struck in the clutch. Oftana finished with 18 points while Pogoy added 14.
"We had no illusion that this would be an easy game. We knew it's gonna be tough as NLEX was fighting for survival, and we anticipated that," said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
They stood their ground in a battle in the first three quarters and poured it on, topping the Road Warriors, 31-20, in the final canto.
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The Tropang Giga struggled with a mere 34.8 percent clip in the first half as against the Road Warriors' 39 percent.
And from a tied count at the half, the Road Warriors seized upper hand in the third on a 16-point explosion by Watkins.
But the Tropang Giga refused to yield. (SB)
The Scores :
TNT 94 - Hollis-Jefferson 23, Pogoy 18, Oftana 14, Erram 8, Aurin 8, Castro 6, Razon 6, Nambatac 5, Galinato 2, K.Williams 2, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0
NLEX 87 - Watkins 33, Alas 16, Torres 7, Policarpio 6, Mocon 6, Herndon 6, Bolick 4, Valdez 4, Rodger 3, Ramirez 2, Fajardo 0, Nieto 0
QUARTERS : 24-19, 39-39, 67-63, 94-87
