Nambatac buzzer-beating triple helps TNT escape Converge

Sports

REY Nambatac delivered the game’s biggest basket—a buzzer-beating triple that sent the defending champions TNT Tropang 5G to a thrilling a 110-107 win over the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday night, July 28, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Namabatc’s game-winning trifecta completed the Tropa’s comeback from a 17-point deficit and sealed their second win in four outings.

Already without Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Kelly Williams, TNT’s lineup further thinned when RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading exited early due to injuries.

TNT import Darius Days also struggled and scored just 10 points.

Still, the Tropa managed to pull through as Nambatac took matters into his own hands in the game’s final play by canning in a well-contested shot at the buzzer after Converge import Jamaal Franklin had tied the contest by sinking four crucial free throws with 9.1 seconds left.

Nambatac finished with 30 points and was backed by Heading and Henry Galinato with 20 and 12, respectively.

Franklin, who replaced Jalen Hudson, marked his first game of his second tour of duty with Converge with 30 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Justine Baltazar tossed in 21 points and 11 rebounds while Mikey Williams added 17 points for Converge, which suffered a second straight loss after a 3-0 start.

THE SCORES:

TNT (110) - Nambatac 30, Heading 20, Galinato 12, Days 10, Jalalon 9, Ferrer 9, Quitevis 6, Pogoy 5, Khobuntin 4, Varilla 3, Aurin 2, Hill 0, Enciso 0.

CONVERGE (107)- Franklin 30, Baltazar 21, Williams 17, Arana 11, Gomez de Liano 8, Garcia 6, Abueva 6, Concepcion 3, Tungcab 3, Stockton 2, Policarpio 0.QUARTERSCORES: 25-33, 51-54, 71-80, 110-107.(CCM)