TNT fortifies Top 2 bid, shoves SMB on brink of elimination

Sports

TNT’S bid to finish in the Top 2 just got brighter while San Miguel’s playoff drive got dimmer as the Tropang Giga nipped the Beermen, 115-97, in the 49th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday night, January 26, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

TNT built a 17-point cushion at the half then went up by as many as 20 points in the final two quarters en route to sealing the win that shoved them to second place in the team standings.

The Tropa improved to 8-3, trailing the NorthPort Batang Pier, who finished the eliminations with nine wins and three losses.

The loss was critical for the Beermen.

San Miguel ended the elims with only five wins and seven losses, falling to 10th spot after coming into the match at eighth place.

The Beermen, the tournament’s defending champions, trail the Magnolia Hotshots and the NLEX Road Warriors, who both hold 5-6 records.

Elimination is staring the Beermen in the eyes as a win by either NLEX or Magnolia will end their playoff aspirations. Failing to advance to the playoffs is something that has not happened with San Miguel in a long, long while.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was huge in TNT’s crucial win as the hardworking import finished with 35 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals, and one block.

RR Pogoy tossed in 22 points spiked by four triples while TNT also got Calvin Oftana 16 points and 14 markers apiece from Jayson Castro and Poy Erram.

June Mar Fajardo led the beleaguered Beermen with 34 points and 13 rebounds.

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.

QUARTERSCORES: 31-19, 56-49, 87-70, 115-97.(CCM)