TNT boosted its drive for a possible Top Two finish while sending San Miguel Beer to the brink of elimination with a decisive 115-97 victory in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo Sunday.
The Tropang Giga turned to a one-sided match what was expected to be a big war, zooming to a 17-point spread at the half and leading by as many as 20 before sealing the win that propelled TNT to solo second place at 8-3 behind frontrunner NorthPort at 9-3.
But idle Meralco is right behind TNT at 7-3, with Converge at 8-4 and Barangay Ginebra at 7-4, keeping it a wild and wooly fight for the Top Two and the twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
Significant for TNT was putting itself in a position to contend for the Top Two, overcoming its flat 0-2 start in the tourney.
"That's the important thing. Things are unpredictable but the best thing is to give ourselves a shot," said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
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They pursue their chase as they tangle with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their final game in the elims on Jan. 31 over at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Suffering a big blow was San Miguel Beer with the loss that gave the titleholder a 5-7 closing card.
The Beermen dropped down from eighth place to 10th, with the NLEX Road Warriors (5-6) and the Magnolia Hotshots improving to joint eighth.
A win by either NLEX or Magnolia in their closing assignments will close the quarters door on San Miguel. If ever, it would be the first time in a long, long while that the Beermen would be out of the playoff picture.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a tremendous driving force for TNT, was at it again, collecting triple-double numbers 35 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists plus three steals and one block against two turnovers.
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Things became easier for TNT as RR Pogoy contributed 22 points with four treys, Calvin Oftana put in 16 markers also with four triples while Jayson Castro and Poy Erram added 14 points each.
June Mar Fajardo led the losing side with 34 points and 13 rebounds.(SB)
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
